Trending...
- Los Angeles County Now Distributing Vote by Mail Ballots to Registered Voters in Long Beach - 1218
- Afresh Enhances Supply Chain Capabilities with the Launch of Afresh DC Forecasts, Partnering with Albertsons Companies as the First Customer
- Nuvve Unveils Groundbreaking AC V2G Technology at Exelon Event, Leveraging SAE J3068/2
~ Last week, four exceptional leaders in the restaurant and foodservice industry were honored with the 2024 Restaurants Advance Leadership Awards in Washington, D.C. These awards, sponsored by American Express, Ecolab, and PepsiCo, recognize individuals who are dedicated to creating community, promoting equity and advancement within the industry, and investing in the next generation of workers.
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) named a $2,500 scholarship after each award winner to support a student pursuing a post-secondary degree in the restaurant and foodservice industry. In addition to this recognition, the honorees also participated in a panel discussion during the NRAEF's fall board meeting where they shared their insights on leadership and advancement for future industry leaders.
According to NRAEF president Rob Gifford, "The Restaurants Advance Leadership Awards highlight some of the incredible efforts happening across the industry to lift people up and empower them to grow. Their stories show how they are giving back to the industry that helped fuel their professional journeys and building a strong future for the next generation of restaurant and foodservice leaders."
More on The Californer
One of this year's award recipients was Jerome Dees of Dees Partners who received the My Journey Award. Originally from Oakland, California, Dees funded his college education at San Francisco State through his self-made catering company. With nearly two decades of experience in directorial roles within various restaurant and foodservice organizations, Dees is passionate about creating mentorship opportunities and career paths for individuals from similar backgrounds as his own. He works closely with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NIFTE) to cultivate tomorrow's entrepreneur leaders.
Gary LeBlanc of Portsmouth, Virginia was presented with the Community Champion Award by American Express. As a New Orleans-trained chef and native, LeBlanc founded Mercy Chefs in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina with a mission to provide handcrafted meals to those impacted by disasters. To date, Mercy Chefs has served over 27 million meals and responded to more than 200 deployments across 33 U.S. states and 31 countries with the help of over 15,000 volunteers.
The Inclusion Innovator Award, presented by PepsiCo, was given to Warren Thompson, President and Chairman of Thompson Hospitality. As the leader of the largest minority-owned foodservice and facilities management company in the U.S., Thompson has been a trailblazer in creating an inclusive and equitable industry environment. He serves on multiple boards aimed at building career pathways and promoting diversity in corporate and education environments.
More on The Californer
Lastly, Dr. Tim Ryan, Chancellor of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), received the Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality Award from Ecolab for his lifetime of service to the restaurant and foodservice industry. With a distinguished career that includes multiple awards and over two decades as the longest-serving president of CIA, Dr. Ryan played a pivotal role in establishing the world's first bachelor's and master's degree in culinary arts at CIA. He also expanded continuing education programs for industry professionals and enthusiasts. Despite his success, Dr. Ryan remains dedicated to giving back to the industry where he started as a dishwasher, emphasizing the importance of education in shaping future culinary leaders.
To learn more about this year's Restaurants Advance Leadership Award winners, visit ChooseRestaurants.org. These visionary leaders serve as shining examples of how individuals can make a positive impact within their communities while advancing opportunities for all within the restaurant and foodservice industry.
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) named a $2,500 scholarship after each award winner to support a student pursuing a post-secondary degree in the restaurant and foodservice industry. In addition to this recognition, the honorees also participated in a panel discussion during the NRAEF's fall board meeting where they shared their insights on leadership and advancement for future industry leaders.
According to NRAEF president Rob Gifford, "The Restaurants Advance Leadership Awards highlight some of the incredible efforts happening across the industry to lift people up and empower them to grow. Their stories show how they are giving back to the industry that helped fuel their professional journeys and building a strong future for the next generation of restaurant and foodservice leaders."
More on The Californer
- Dark Truth Behind Targeted Violence
- Composer Andrew Prahlow to Perform Award-Winning Outer Wilds Soundtrack on Oct 17th at Brooklyn's Music Hall of Williamsburg
- All aboard! More clean buses and trains coming to California's communities most affected by pollution
- SolarTech Celebrates Grand Opening of Phoenix Facility with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
- Are California Insurance Tax Hikes Good for Uninsurable Homes?
One of this year's award recipients was Jerome Dees of Dees Partners who received the My Journey Award. Originally from Oakland, California, Dees funded his college education at San Francisco State through his self-made catering company. With nearly two decades of experience in directorial roles within various restaurant and foodservice organizations, Dees is passionate about creating mentorship opportunities and career paths for individuals from similar backgrounds as his own. He works closely with the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NIFTE) to cultivate tomorrow's entrepreneur leaders.
Gary LeBlanc of Portsmouth, Virginia was presented with the Community Champion Award by American Express. As a New Orleans-trained chef and native, LeBlanc founded Mercy Chefs in 2006 following Hurricane Katrina with a mission to provide handcrafted meals to those impacted by disasters. To date, Mercy Chefs has served over 27 million meals and responded to more than 200 deployments across 33 U.S. states and 31 countries with the help of over 15,000 volunteers.
The Inclusion Innovator Award, presented by PepsiCo, was given to Warren Thompson, President and Chairman of Thompson Hospitality. As the leader of the largest minority-owned foodservice and facilities management company in the U.S., Thompson has been a trailblazer in creating an inclusive and equitable industry environment. He serves on multiple boards aimed at building career pathways and promoting diversity in corporate and education environments.
More on The Californer
- New California Solar Incentives and Tax Credits
- Cell-Ed and National Minority Health Association Forge Strategic Partnership to Expand Caregiving and Health Equity Initiatives
- Fortius Metals secures $2 Million Additional Funding to Bring Advanced Metal 3D Printing to the Aerospace and Defense Industry
- Voices Rising Festival Celebrates Diversity in E. Islip, GRAMMY Governor LACHI performs!
- DEFENT Fentanyl Test Kits by DDI Introduce Anonymous Reporting Tool to Combat Opioid Epidemic
Lastly, Dr. Tim Ryan, Chancellor of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), received the Thad and Alice Eure Ambassador of Hospitality Award from Ecolab for his lifetime of service to the restaurant and foodservice industry. With a distinguished career that includes multiple awards and over two decades as the longest-serving president of CIA, Dr. Ryan played a pivotal role in establishing the world's first bachelor's and master's degree in culinary arts at CIA. He also expanded continuing education programs for industry professionals and enthusiasts. Despite his success, Dr. Ryan remains dedicated to giving back to the industry where he started as a dishwasher, emphasizing the importance of education in shaping future culinary leaders.
To learn more about this year's Restaurants Advance Leadership Award winners, visit ChooseRestaurants.org. These visionary leaders serve as shining examples of how individuals can make a positive impact within their communities while advancing opportunities for all within the restaurant and foodservice industry.
Filed Under: Business
0 Comments
Latest on The Californer
- Martial Arts Icon Cynthia Rothrock Premieres Her Latest Film Black Creek
- California: Governor Newsom statement marking one year since Hamas attack on Israel
- Vantiva and Harmonic Partner to Offer Service Providers Easy Transition from DOCSIS to Fiber-based PON Technologies
- CCHR Demands Justice for Victims of Psychiatric Fraud and Patient Sexual Abuse
- First World Chronic Cough Day October 15, 2024
- Best 5 industry-leading features, Thermal Master Introduces $200 Phone Thermal Camera
- New Frontier Aerospace Closes Seed Round with Pacific Bays Capital
- A Stunning Home That Will Surely Impress You!
- Image Fashion Week Presents Inaugural Show: Sarah Sokol "New Heights"
- Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help
- Telos95 ® Expands into Slovakia with Successful Integration in the Groundbreaking Product "Elixir Mladosti"
- MMCG Invest and Innowave Studio Merge to Revolutionize Feasibility Studies and Site Plans
- Jacket & Jams Bay Area Coat Drive
- Unleash Your Inner Potter: Discover the Art of Clay
- Idyllwild Radio Network You Tube Channel From TVS Records Showcases Beautiful Music Country Style
- State of Nayarit Named the Official Mexican Tourism Destination of the Vancouver Canucks
- MiAltar, The World's First Virtual Altar Platform to Honor Departed Loved Ones, Launches Ahead of Dia de Muertos Holiday
- UCLA Researchers Develop High-Sensitivity Paper-based Sensor for Rapid Cardiac Diagnostics
- California: Governor Newsom issues executive order to support fire response and recovery across the state
- Long Beach Public Library to Upgrade its Catalog System from October 7 through November 5