Chicago, IL - The National Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) today announced the five restaurant and foodservice industry leaders to be honored at the 20th Annual Salute to Excellence Awards Gala and Banquet on Saturday, May 19, 2007, at the Hilton Chicago. Held during the annual National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show, this daylong event brings together the country's most promising restaurant and foodservice management students with top educators and industry leaders to highlight esteemed leadership and extraordinary academic accomplishments.

The 2007 Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality is:
* John R. Farquharson, FMP, President, International Food Safety Council

The 2007 College of Diplomates Inductees are:
* Jim Funk, Chief Executive Officer, Louisiana Restaurant Association
* Bill Shore, Founder and Executive Director, Share Our Strength
* Regynald Washington, FMP, CFBE, Vice President, Food and Beverage, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide

The 2007 Michael E. Hurst Lifetime Achievement in Education Award is presented to:
* Carol Kizer, CCE, RD, FMP, Chairperson, Hospitality Management Dept., Columbus State Community College

"This respected group of industry leaders has truly proven their dedication to supporting industry education," said Mary M. Adolf, president and chief operating officer of the NRAEF. "We are honored to recognize these dynamic individuals who have shown tremendous commitment to maintaining our industry as the cornerstone of our nation's career-and-employment opportunities, economy and community involvement."

Now in its 20th year, Salute to Excellence celebrates the current and future leadership of our industry. This event is made possible by the generous contributions of Founding Partner, The Coca-Cola Company, and presenting sponsor, Ecolab, Inc.

Tickets for Salute to Excellence may be purchased individually or by a table of 10. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call (312) 261-5313 or visit http://www.nraef.org/events/event_1.asp?head_id=2.

Celebrating its 88th year, the National Restaurant Association's annual Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is the largest single gathering of restaurant, foodservice and lodging professionals in North and South America. The Show will be held May 19-22, 2007, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill. Each year, the Show attracts more than 2,000 exhibiting companies and 73,000+ attendees and visitors from all 50 states and 100+ countries. For the latest information, please visit the Show Web site at www.restaurant.org/show .

About NRAEF
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, of career-and-employment opportunities, and of local 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 address attracting, developing and retaining the industry's workforce. Sales from all NRAEF products and services benefit the industry by directly supporting the NRAEF's educational initiatives.

For more information on the NRAEF, visit www.nraef.org.

NRAEF
Ryan O'Malley - Corporate Communications Manager
(312) 261-5318
E-Mail: romalley@nraef.org