LOS ANGELES —Gerald A. Fernandez, founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, an organization that promotes the economic benefits of diversity within the restaurant, foodservice and lodging industries, has been selected by Nation’s Restaurant News as the recipient of its 2007 Innovator Award.
Fernandez will be honored during NRN’s 48th annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference, MUFSO, which will be held here Sept. 30-Oct. 3 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel. —Gerald A. Fernandez, founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, an organization that promotes the economic benefits of diversity within the restaurant, foodservice and lodging industries, has been selected by Nation’s Restaurant News as the recipient of its 2007 Innovator Award.
The award recognizes an individual whose innovative thinking and practical application of new ideas have helped advance the foodservice industry and benefited its customers. The award will be presented during the MUFSO Awards Banquet sponsored by American Express. —Gerald A. Fernandez, founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, an organization that promotes the economic benefits of diversity within the restaurant, foodservice and lodging industries, has been selected by Nation’s Restaurant News as the recipient of its 2007 Innovator Award.
“The word ‘innovator’ is a superb description of Gerry Fernandez,” said Alan Gould, publisher of NRN. “His groundbreaking work with MFHA has helped lead the restaurant industry toward greater diversity and inclusion than ever before, and we congratulate Gerry on his unwavering commitment to this vital cause.” —Gerald A. Fernandez, founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, an organization that promotes the economic benefits of diversity within the restaurant, foodservice and lodging industries, has been selected by Nation’s Restaurant News as the recipient of its 2007 Innovator Award.
Fernandez founded MFHA in 1996 while employed as a national account manager for foodservice sales at General Mills in Minneapolis. Today, the Cranston, R.I.-based organization conducts seminars and other events to promote the business case for diversity and inclusion while also facilitating solutions to manage diversity. —Gerald A. Fernandez, founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, an organization that promotes the economic benefits of diversity within the restaurant, foodservice and lodging industries, has been selected by Nation’s Restaurant News as the recipient of its 2007 Innovator Award.
Fernandez began his career with General Mills in 1992 in research and development. He was promoted to national account sales in 1995. He became a loaned executive from General Mills in 1997 after he founded the MFHA. —Gerald A. Fernandez, founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, an organization that promotes the economic benefits of diversity within the restaurant, foodservice and lodging industries, has been selected by Nation’s Restaurant News as the recipient of its 2007 Innovator Award.
Before joining General Mills, he spent more than 10 years as a senior manager opening and operating fine-dining restaurants, including The Capital Grille, Hemenway’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar and The Old Grist Mill Tavern for the company now known as Rare Hospitality. —Gerald A. Fernandez, founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, an organization that promotes the economic benefits of diversity within the restaurant, foodservice and lodging industries, has been selected by Nation’s Restaurant News as the recipient of its 2007 Innovator Award.
Earlier in his career, he held various leadership positions in such fine-dining establishments as the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, the Harborside Inn on Martha’s Vineyard and the famed Royal’s Hearthside Restaurant in Rutland, Vt. —Gerald A. Fernandez, founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, an organization that promotes the economic benefits of diversity within the restaurant, foodservice and lodging industries, has been selected by Nation’s Restaurant News as the recipient of its 2007 Innovator Award.
He is a director of the National Restaurant Association and a former director of both La Oportunidad of St. Paul, Minn., and the Urban Ventures Leadership Foundation of Minneapolis. He is a founding member of the Research Chefs Association and an active member of the Women’s Foodservice Forum, the American Culinary Federation and Women Chefs & Restaurateurs. —Gerald A. Fernandez, founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, an organization that promotes the economic benefits of diversity within the restaurant, foodservice and lodging industries, has been selected by Nation’s Restaurant News as the recipient of its 2007 Innovator Award.
Fernandez holds a bachelor of science degree in foodservice management from Johnson & Wales University, where he also earned a culinary arts degree in 1976. He received the first MFHA Ernest Henry Royal “Pioneer Award” in 1998. In 1999, he received an honorary doctorate in business administration from Johnson & Wales. In 2000, he was profiled in Nation’s Restaurant News as one of the industry’s most influential people in the special issue “The NRN 50: The Power Players.” —Gerald A. Fernandez, founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, an organization that promotes the economic benefits of diversity within the restaurant, foodservice and lodging industries, has been selected by Nation’s Restaurant News as the recipient of its 2007 Innovator Award.
For information about MUFSO and to register, call (212) 756-5201 or visit
