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.