The National Restaurant Association and its Educational Foundation Celebrate the Industry's Best and Brightest
During Annual Salute to Excellence Awards Gala and Banquet

CHICAGO -- Gathering industry leaders, educators and top students from more than 100 restaurant and culinary schools nationwide, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) joined forces with Founding Partner The Coca-Cola Company and Presenting Sponsor, Ecolab Inc., to host the 19th annual Salute to Excellence Awards Gala and Banquet. This highly anticipated event, which celebrates the best and the brightest in the restaurant and foodservice industry by spotlighting esteemed leadership and extraordinary academic accomplishments, took place on Saturday, May 20th at the Hilton Chicago in Chicago, Ill., kicking off the 87th Annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

The evening began with a cocktail reception, which featured several lively creations from The Coca-Cola Company, and allowed guests to mingle before the awards gala got underway. During the gala and banquet, several awards were presented, including one of the highest distinctions awarded by the NRAEF: the Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality Award. Established in 1987, the Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality Award is presented each year to select members of the College of Diplomates in recognition of extraordinary achievement in the industry, exemplary career leadership and substantial contributions to education. The 2006 Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality is James A. Collins, FMP, chairman emeritus, Sizzler Restaurants International.

Each year the NRAEF inducts outstanding members who actively strive to support and strengthen the advancement of professionalism and education within the industry, into its prestigious College of Diplomates. The 2006 Diplomates inductees are Chef John D. Folse, CEC, AAC, president, Chef John Folse & Company; Patricia S. Harris, chief diversity officer, McDonald's Corporation; and Florence Jaramillo, FMP, president, Manzana Center Inc., dba Rancho de Chimayo.

The 2006 Michael E. Hurst Lifetime Achievement in Education Award was presented to Dr. Morris J. W. Gaebe, chancellor, Johnson & Wales University. One of the highest honors in hospitality education, this award is presented each year to a current or retired post secondary and/or graduate professor or administrator who has dedicated his or her career to academic instruction in the field of hospitality, culinary or foodservice management.

The evening also included the presentation of the James H. Maynard Excellence in Education Award, made possible by Golden Corral, to two outstanding ProStart® teachers. This year?s winners were: Barbara Hughes, High Point High School, Beltsville, Maryland and Darcy Glagolich, Kodiak Island Borough School District, Kodiak, Alaska. These teachers each received a $5,000 cash prize.

The Salute to Excellence Awards Gala & Banquet recognized the triumphant careers of these exceptional leaders who have made extraordinary individual contributions to promoting education and mentoring; including the work of the NRA Board of Directors and the NRAEF Board of Trustees. The Awards Gala and Banquet also presents an opportunity to honor the country's most remarkable restaurant and foodservice industry student delegates who represent our industry's future leadership. This year?s event also showcased the introduction of the NRAEF?s new competency-based certificate program developed for colleges and universities, the NRAEF ManageFirst Programä.

The event was concluded with a grand dessert buffet, sponsored by Rich Products and Sweet Street Desserts.

For a printable version of this release and to download photos from the event please click on the link below: http://www.nraef.org/headline/headline_325.asp

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling the educational mission of the National Restaurant Association. As the nation's largest private sector employer, the restaurant and foodservice industry is the cornerstone of the American economy, career opportunities, and communities. Focusing on three key strategies of risk management, recruitment, and retention, the NRAEF is the premier provider of educational resources, materials, and programs, which focus on attracting, developing and retaining the restaurant and foodservice industry?s workforce. For more information on the NRAEF, visit www.nraef.org.