LRA Members: Nominations being accepted for Restaurant Neighbor Award, Faces of Diversity

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) recently announced it has begun accepting nominations for its 2015 Restaurant Neighbor and Faces of Diversity American Dream awards. Applications and nomination forms are available online at NRAEF.org/Awards until Nov. 17, 2014.  

Now in its 17th year, the Foundation’s Restaurant Neighbor Award, founded in partnership with American Express, celebrates the outstanding charitable service performed by restaurant operators.  The Faces of Diversity American Dream Award, sponsored by PepsiCo Foodservice and founded in 2007, is presented to members of the restaurant industry who have, through hard work and perseverance, achieved the American Dream.

The Restaurant Neighbor Award honors winners in four categories: small business, mid-size business, large business/national chain and Cornerstone Humanitarian. Participating State Restaurant Associations select winners in their states, who will then be eligible for the national awards. Each national winner receives $5,000 to support their charitable giving efforts. The Faces of Diversity American Dream Award recognizes three individuals as national winners, who will have a $2,500 NRAEF student scholarship presented in their name.

“These prestigious awards honor the individuals and companies that truly exemplify what it means to be leaders in the restaurant industry and integral parts of their communities,” said Rob Gifford, executive vice president, strategic operations and philanthropy for the NRA and NRAEF. “The restaurant industry employs an incredibly diverse workforce of 13.5 million people — nearly one in 10 working Americans. Nominations we have received over the years showcase the demonstrable impact the restaurant industry has made in people’s lives. We encourage those in the industry to nominate their employees and peers.”

The national winners will receive an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they will be recognized at a gala awards dinner during the National Restaurant Association’s Public Affairs Conference in April 2015.

For more information on the Restaurant Neighbor and Faces of Diversity American Dream awards, and to see compelling stories of the 2014 winners and finalists, visit the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s website at NRAEF.org/Build-Talent/Industry-Awards.

Restaurant Neighbor and Faces of Diversity Awards call for nominations

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is now accepting nominations for the two awards and will name Restaurant Neighbor and Faces of Diversity winners at a gala during the NRA’s Public Affairs Conference next April. Applications and nomination forms will be accepted online until November 18.

Restaurant Neighbor award, co-founded and sponsored by American Express, honors winners in four categories: small business, mid-size business, large business/national chain and Cornerstone Humanitarian. The award recognizes the outstanding charitable service performed by restaurant members. Each winner receives $5,000 to support their charitable giving efforts. Participating state restaurant associations select winners in their respective states who then go on to compete for the national award.
Louisiana has had two winners in recent years of the Restaurant Neighbor award--Tommy Cvitanovich of Drago's Seafood Restaurant in 2006 and Greg Reggio of Taste Buds in 2012. Cvitanovich was recognized for his efforts following Hurricane Katrina to feed relief workers in the New Orleans area. Reggio was recognized for his relief work following the tornados in Tuscaloosa and Joplin.

The Faces of Diversity award, co-founded and sponsored by PepsiCo Foodservice, recognizes three individuals as national winners. The award celebrates members of the restaurant industry who, through hard work and perseverance, have achieved the American Dream. Each winner will have a $2,500 NRAEF student scholarship presented in his or her name. Read more.

New Orleans Queen of Creole Cuisine Leah Chase was honored with the Faces of Diversity award in 2012. Her famed restaurant Dooky Chase is known the world over and was considered "neutral ground" during the Civil Rights Movement.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association encourages members to apply.

Restaurateurs are a philanthropic bunch

Just about every charitable event we attend has chefs and restaurateurs participating, either by performing cooking demonstrations or serving their unique cuisine. Restaurateurs nationwide contribute an estimated $3 billion every year to causes that impact their community, according to a study by the National Restaurant Association.

To recognize those restaurateurs who have made extraordinary contributions to their community through philanthropy, the NRA is seeking submissions for its annual Restaurant Neighbor and Faces of Diversity award programs. Earlier this year, two of Louisiana’s own—Greg Reggio and Leah Chase were honored in Washington, DC during the Public Affairs Conference—for their numerous efforts to uplift those in need.

 

The Restaurant Neighbor Award was created 15 years ago to help honor restaurants in the field of outstanding community service and involvement. Ninety percent of restaurants are actively involved in community activities and this award highlights the positive contributions restaurants make in their local neighborhoods each and every day.

Four national winners receive $5,000 each to support their community efforts as well as an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. The NRA and American Express are pleased to honor restaurant companies that have gone above and beyond in giving back to their communities through the Restaurant Neighbor Award program. Each year, four national winners receive $5,000 each to continue their charitable works.

The Faces of Diversity Award recognizes the diversity of the restaurant industry and the role it plays in helping individuals achieve professional and personal success. Three individuals, who through hard work and determination have realized their dreams, are selected each year as national winners and a $2,500 ProStart student scholarship is presented in their name.

The deadline to submit your Restaurant Neighbor and Faces of Diversity nominees is  January 7, 2013.

Queen of Creole Cuisine Leah Chase, receives national American Dream Award

Seeing Mrs. Leah Chase in action at Dooky Chase restaurant is quite amazing. Recently celebrating her 89^th birthday, Chase has an oral history of events unlike any you will find in text books. Often, when the Louisiana Restaurant Association staff stops by the restaurant, she’s either in the kitchen, hard at work preparing gumbos, crawfish etouffee, fried chicken and catfish and an array of traditional Creole delicacies she’s been soulfully preparing for some 70 years.

Chase was honored by the National Restaurant Association April 17 in DC as one to celebrate for achieving the American Dream in the restaurant industry.  Overcoming extreme obstacles through the Civil Rights Movement, many people of different ethnicities found solace, a hot meal and kind words at Leah’s Dooky Chase Restaurant.

Leah Chase and daughter Stella Reese
following Chase's American Dream
Award acceptance speech April 17.

“We’ve come such a long way in this country,” said Chase in her acceptance speech. “I have always followed my father’s advice, ‘Pray, work and do for others,’ in that order and it’s never failed me.”

During her career, she has fed U.S. Presidents, dignitaries and served her community on countless boards to further education, arts and the restaurant industry. She’s come to the aid of others during their time of need and the industry has rallied around her during her time of struggle.

“Katrina really did a number on the restaurant and the community that surrounds it,” she recalls. “The number of restaurateurs, chefs and companies that came to my aid was truly remarkable. There’s no way I’ll ever be able to repay them for their generosity and kindness.”

U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond presented Chase with the American Dream Award at the Gala during the 2012 NRA Public Affairs Conference. In addition to the award, a $2,500 scholarship was given to a student in her honor.

“Look at Cedric,” Chase said during her speech. “I’ve known him since he was a little boy and it’s amazing to see the success he’s had with helping the people of New Orleans be heard in Washington.”

Her tell it like it is style has only gotten more pointed as she’s gracefully aged. During a call with NRA Senior Director of Community Relations Alyssa Prince following the evening’s events, she laughed as she shared Chase’s comments during the Gala rehearsal.

“We were on stage and I asked her if she’d like a podium, a handheld or a lavaliere microphone,” said Prince. “She looked at me seriously and said, ‘what’s all the fuss? It’s not like I’m giving a sermon’.”