After a two-year postponement due to COVID-19, the Georgia Restaurant Association’s (GRA) Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards is back for 2022. The GRACE Awards Gala, an inclusive event honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to Georgia’s restaurant industry, will take place at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta on Sept. 27.
Leading up to the gala, the GRA has announced the finalists and honorees, all of whom have been peer-nominated, ensuring the most deserving in the industry are recognized. The finalists and honorees include:
Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Dr. Debra Cannon, Ph.D., Georgia State University, Robinson School of Business, Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality
Restaurateur of the Year Finalists
Amici Food Group (Michael Torino & Chris Torino)
PITA Mediterranean Street Food (Nour Rabai)
Southern Proper Hospitality (Chris Hadermann)
VanTrece Hospitality (Deborah VanTrece)
Restaurateur Rookie of the Year Finalists
Lil Ice Cream Dude Cool World Ice Cream Shop (Victor “Beau” Shell)
MAD Hospitality (Preston Snyder)
Mukja Korean Fried Chicken (Sean Chang)
Southern Belle + Georgia Boy (Joey Ward)
Industry Partner of the Year Finalists
Goliath Consulting Group
Mellissa Libby & Associates
Savannah Bee Company
Hospitality Hero of the Year Finalists
Gathering Industries (Alex Reethof)
RO Hospitality (Ryan Pemice)
Sterling Hospitality (John C. Metz)
Restaurant Manager of the Year Honoree
Pepe Fundora, Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant and Cork & Glass
Restaurant Employee of the Year Honoree
Catherine Najera, Willy’s Mexicana Grill
Prostart® Student of the Year Honoree
Jennifer Pacheco, Maxwell High School of Technology
Chairman’s Honoree
Senate President Pro Tempore Butch Miller, Georgia State Senate
“The GRACE Awards Gala is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the incredible individuals and companies that created a more hospitable and familiar world during on of the most challenging periods in recent memory,” says Karen Bremer, President and CEO of the GRA.
Winners are chosen by the GRACE Academy, comprised of former GRACE finalists and honorees as well as current GRA Board members.
To learn more about the GRACE Awards or to sponsor and purchase tickets, visit garestaurants.org/grace.