Five Star Futures Gala to recognize scholarship recipients, industry leaders

The Five Star Futures Gala, formerly known as the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Awards Banquet, has been rebranded to bring new excitement and a greater awareness of the restaurant industry’s philanthropy, and for the past two years, has benefited the LRA Education Foundation (LRAEF) Scholarship Fund.

The stars will shine bright on August 11, at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, beginning with a cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m. Dinner, a live auction with guest auctioneer Mark Romig, Executive Director of the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corp., and awards will begin at 7:30 p.m.



Notable New Orleanian
Mark Romig will serve as the
auctioneer for the live auction
during the Five Star Futures Gala,
August 11 at the Hilton Riverside.

The event’s menu is inspired by the restaurant concept, Petit Manger, which was developed and presented by the Rayne High School team at the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore, earlier this year. The Rayne team placed third in the nation and received rave reviews from judges and spectators.

“The Rayne team’s concept was so impressive,” said NRA Board Member Dickie Brennan. “The judges and my fellow NRA Board Members were looking at me, giving me the thumbs up when Rayne completed their presentation. I was so proud.”

For the second consecutive year, the LRAEF will distribute $40,000 in scholarships to deserving students wishing to further their college culinary or hospitality management education.

“The success of the LRAEF’s scholarship program is a testament to the leadership and dedication of our members who support it through various chapter activities year round,” said Stan Harris, LRA President/CEO.

NRA Chairwoman Roz Mallet
is the special guest for the
Five Star Futures Gala and
understands the value of
investing in the future of
Louisiana's restaurant workforce.

Special guest for the evening is the National Restaurant Association Chairwoman and NRA Education Foundation Trustee Roz Mallet. An avid supporter of ProStart and a mentor to many, Mallet is an exemplary individual who has built a 35 year career in the restaurant industry, beginning as a student in college.

“One of our challenges as an industry is to promote the wide range of opportunities we offer to young people on the verge of starting their own careers,” said Mallet. “That is why ProStart and the LRAEF’s scholarship program were created—to develop the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice industry leaders.”

Join us as we celebrate today’s leaders and tomorrow’s future stars on August 11. Tickets are available online and proceeds benefit the LRA Education Foundation Scholarship Program.