Mike Maenza named LRA GNO Chapter
Restaurateur of the Year
During a
ceremony January 15, 2014 at the Hilton St. Charles, 2013 Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Greater New Orleans Chapter President Paul Rotner, COO of
Acme Oyster House, presented the following awards—Restaurateur of the Year,
Distinguished Service Award, Active Member of the Year, Associate Member of the
Year, Presidential Award, Restaurateur of the Year, Hall of Fame and the
Lifetime Achievement Award.
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| Mike Maenza receives LRA GNO Chapter Restaurateur of the Year Award, Jan. 15, 2014. |
Mike Maenza,
owner of Mr. Mudbug, King Creole and Base Logistics, was selected as the LRA GNO
Chapter’s Restaurateur of the Year. Given to a member who contributes
unselfishly to the advancement of the hospitality industry, Maenza has
continually dedicated himself to the LRA and has been a LRA GNO Chapter Board
Member since 2006, serves on the Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research
Board, and numerous other charitable boards. He is currently the LRA GNO
Chapter’s President.
“It would be
an understatement to say that Mike is busy,” said Rotner. “We appreciate the
time and talents he gives to our chapter and his commitment to leading the
chapter in 2014 as its President.”
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| Mark Romig receives the LRA GNO Chapter Distinguished Service Award, Jan. 15, 2014 |
Mark Romig,
President & CEO of the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corporation,
received the LRA GNO Chapter Distinguished Service Award. The award is
presented to an individual outside of the association in recognition for
innovations and significant contributions to the advancement of the hospitality
industry.
“Mark is a
driving force to promote tourism for New Orleans and is such an excellent
ambassador for our great city,” said Rotner. “Not only is he the New Orleans
Saints Public Address Announcer, like his father before him, he also works
tirelessly for the hospitality industry.”
Ryan Haro,
owner of Coffee HQ, was named the LRA GNO Chapter Active Member of the Year.
The award is given to an individual in the food service industry who is
involved in chapter affairs, events and meetings, and encourages his peers to
join the association and become active.
“For the
past three years, Ryan has shown time and time again his commitment and
willingness to serve the LRA by volunteering his time and energy to the
improvement of the industry,” Rotner said.
Juan Cazabon
with Glazer’s Distributors received the LRA GNO Chapter Associate Member of the
Year Award for graciously volunteering his service to the chapter and its
activities, fundraisers and efforts.
“Juan has a
strong work ethic and dependability that was instilled in him by his
hardworking parents,” said Rotner. “He certainly makes us proud and we are sure
his parents are proud of him as well.”
Martha
Marasco with Heartland Payment Systems received the LRA GNO Chapter
Presidential Award. For seven years, Marasco has volunteered her time to the
chapter and has actively worked to bring new members to the association.
“For the
second year in a row, we’ve selected Martha to receive the Presidential Award,”
said Rotner. “She truly believes in the work of the LRA and in her role at
Heartland Payment Systems, she serves the industry and through her
volunteerism, she is a valued asset to the chapter.”
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| Katy Casbarian inducted in the LRA GNO Chapter Hall of Fame, Jan. 15. |
Katy
Casbarian, co-proprietor of Arnaud’s and Remoulade Restaurants, was inducted
into the LRA GNO Chapter’s Hall of Fame. Casbarian has a long history of
faithful, dedicated and outstanding service to the LRA and serves as Treasurer
of the LRA State Board of Directors.
“Katy’s
leadership is evidenced by the balance she achieves between preserving the rich
history of Arnaud’s and embracing the future of her family’s business,” said
Rotner. “We are honored to recognize Katy as the 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee.”
The DeFelice
Family, fourth generation owners of the world-renowned Pascal’s Manale Restaurant,
were honored with the 2013 LRA GNO Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award. Family patriarch,
Savare DeFelice, and siblings, Sandy, Bob, Mark and Ginny, presided over the
century-long celebration of a beloved New Orleans institution in 2013, a restaurant
known for its signature BBQ Shrimp dish.
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| The DeFelice Family receives the LRA GNO Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award. |
“When it was
time to determine who would receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, it was
clear it was time to recognize the DeFelice family’s dedication, commitment and
love of the industry,” said Rotner.
The LRA 2014
Chair Bruce Attinger, of Outback Steakhouses in Louisiana and Arkansas,
installed the officers of the LRA GNO Chapter Board during the ceremony.
Attinger has more than 40 years of experience in the restaurant industry and
began his career at The Black Steer Restaurant in Washington, D.C. in the 1970s
and served as the President of the Hooters North America in the mid-1980s.
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