CHICAGO —Five leaders were recognized for their contributions to the advancement of the restaurant and hospitality industries during the 22nd annual Salute to Excellence gala at the Chicago Hilton during the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show here last month.
The NRA Educational Foundation and founding partner Coca-Cola North America inducted three new members into the College of Diplomates—a group of distinguished foodservice leaders who actively support the advancement of professionalism and education in the industry. This year’s inductees were Bert Cutino, chief operating officer of The Sardine Factory; Julie Flik, founder of Flik International Corp., which now belongs to the Compass Group; and Jon Luther, executive chairman of Dunkin’ Brands. —Five leaders were recognized for their contributions to the advancement of the restaurant and hospitality industries during the 22nd annual Salute to Excellence gala at the Chicago Hilton during the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show here last month.
Retired hospitality professor Don “Coach” Smith received the Michael E. Hurst Lifetime Achievement in Education Award, which is given to current or retired teachers, professors of administrators in hospitality education. Smith brought the ballroom to its feet with an emotional speech that paid tribute to his wife of 59 years, Jackie. —Five leaders were recognized for their contributions to the advancement of the restaurant and hospitality industries during the 22nd annual Salute to Excellence gala at the Chicago Hilton during the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show here last month.
Robert E. Rich Jr., chairman of Rich Products Corp., was named the 2009 Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality for his exemplary career and contributions toward education in foodservice. The honor is given to a member of the College of Diplomates. —Five leaders were recognized for their contributions to the advancement of the restaurant and hospitality industries during the 22nd annual Salute to Excellence gala at the Chicago Hilton during the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show here last month.
Attendees at the gala dined on a meal created by Mario Garcia, executive sous chef at the Hilton. The complete dinner was presented on tiered glass plates and included spreads of baba ghanoush and hummus with crostini and marinated olives, and loin of lamb with tomato film accompanied with cucumber-tomato relish and piquillo pepper-almond sauce. ProStart students assisted in preparing the food. ProStart is a school-to-career curriculum developed by the NRAEF. The students were winners in the annual ProStart Student Invitational competition held in April. —Five leaders were recognized for their contributions to the advancement of the restaurant and hospitality industries during the 22nd annual Salute to Excellence gala at the Chicago Hilton during the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show here last month.
During the cocktail party, guests had a chance to compete in the “Are You Smarter than a ProStart Student?” game set up in the ballroom. Most of the contestants lost to Casey Anderson and Katelyn Cockrum of Bend High School in Bend, Ore. The high school juniors were this year’s first place winners in the ProStart management competition. —Five leaders were recognized for their contributions to the advancement of the restaurant and hospitality industries during the 22nd annual Salute to Excellence gala at the Chicago Hilton during the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show here last month.
Earlier that day, about 200 high school and college students, along with their teachers and professors, attended workshops and panel discussions at the Hyatt McCormick. —Five leaders were recognized for their contributions to the advancement of the restaurant and hospitality industries during the 22nd annual Salute to Excellence gala at the Chicago Hilton during the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show here last month.
