On November 11, Georgia’s restaurant industry gathered at the Lowes Atlanta Hotel to honor some of their outstanding leaders at the sixth annual Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards Gala. Finalists were nominated by the GRA membership and GRACE Awards were presented in the following categories:
Restaurateur of the Year
Jay Swift was named Restaurateur of the Year. Swift recently celebrated his fourth year at 4th and Swift, which is often included on the list of best restaurants in Atlanta. He is the chef co-chair for The Flavors of Atlanta, which benefits the Georgia Chapter of the American Liver Foundation, supports Share Our Strength, and has twice been invited to cook at the James Beard House in New York.
Finalists for Restaurateur of the Year included Tad and Nancy Mitchell, Six Feet Under Fish House, and Dave Snyder, Halyard’s, Tramici.
Chairman’s Award
GRA Board Chair Patrick Cuccaro of Affairs to Remember Caterers recognized Janice Reece, marketing and communications director for the Atlanta Community Food Bank, for the bridge she has built between the Food Bank community and the hospitality industry. Her efforts against hunger have made life better for countless numbers of people impacted by her work.
Lifetime Achievement
Herman J. Russell, of Concessions International and Paschal’s Restaurant, was honored for his lifelong career in the industry, which spans more than 60 years, and his commitment to giving back to his community as a civic leader and philanthropist. An Atlanta native, Russell has grown his company into one of the largest minority-owned businesses in the U.S.
Distinguished Service
Guy Thomson was given the Distinguished Service Award. He began his career with restaurant chain Victoria Station, which brought him to Atlanta in 1977. Eventually, he became a partner in Proof of the Pudding catering company and the owner of Pittypat’s Porch. He is a past GRA board member, has served as vice president of the Georgia Hospitality and Travel Association, and helped coordinate the Southeastern Hospitality and Foodservice Show and the Atlanta International Wine Festival.
Finalists for the Distinguished Service Award included Kate Atwood, Executive Director, Arby’s Foundation; Jo Ann Herold, Vice President, Public Relations and Communications, Arby’s Restaurant Group and Vice Chair, Arby’s Foundation; and Debby Cannon, Georgia State University.
Innovator
Linton Hopkins, of H&F Bottle Shop and H&F Bread Co., received the Innovator award. Hopkins consistently pushes Atlanta’s food culture forward and encourages other chefs to think bigger. As Resurgens Hospitality Group, he and his wife Gina helm a host of companies including Restaurant Eugene, Holeman & Finch Public House, Hopkins Hospitality and Eugene Kitchen. Hopkins co-founded the Peachtree Road Farmers Market and is a member of the Georgia Organics chef’s advisory committee and the Atlanta Local Food Initiative.
Finalists for the Innovator award were John Pinkerton, Moon River Brewing, and Jason Shaw, Georgia Olive Farms.
Industry Partner
Founded in 1893 in Atlanta, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP is a full-service law firm. Its Hospitality Services Group operates out of Atlanta and jacksonville, Fla., and helps companies with their tax issues, construction legalities, employment law, immigration issues, zoning and land use and more. Attorneys in the Hospitality Services Group work with hotel and restaurant operators and other companies related to the industry.
Finalists for Industry Partner included Heartland Payment Systems and M-PASS Inc.
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists!
