Photo credit: Cahall MediaThe Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) announced the finalists for the 2025 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards. Now in its 17th year, the GRACE Awards celebrate outstanding achievement and hospitality excellence across Georgia’s restaurant and foodservice industry.
2025 GRACE AWARDS FINALISTS + HONOREES
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE
Philip J. Hickey, Jr., Chairman, Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q and Miller’s Ale House
RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, I. Pano Karatassos, Pano I. Karatassos and Niko I. Karatassos
LEAD Hospitality, Scott McCray
Louisiana Bistreaux and Malone’s Steak & Seafood, Feroz Delawalla
Oliva Restaurant Group, Tal Baum
EMERGING RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
The Animal Farm and Gabagool Italian, Hudson Terrell
Blue Hound Barbecue, Kyle Bryner
Bomb Biscuit Co., Erika Council
Tio Lucho’s, Arnaldo Castillo
INDUSTRY PARTNER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Gas South
Halperns’ Steak & Seafood
Sard & Leff
HOSPITALITY HERO OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Fat Man’s Cafe and Catering, Brad Usry and Hav Usry
Parker’s Kitchen, Greg Parker
Publix Super Markets – Atlanta Division
RESTAURANT MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Nathan Martin, Ted’s Montana Grill (Peachtree City)
RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR
Brian Boyle, Atlanta Fish Market (Buckhead Life Restaurant Group)
Presented posthumously to Traci Heller, Hudson Grille Midtown (Metrotainment Cafes)
All finalists are peer-nominated, ensuring the most deserving professionals and organizations are recognized by those who best understand their exceptional dedication to hospitality. Winners are selected by the GRACE Academy, an independent panel of former GRACE honorees, along with current and former GRA Board and Advisory Board members.
“The GRACE Awards celebrate the heart of Georgia’s hospitality community—people who work tirelessly, lead with passion and serve with integrity,” said Stephanie Fischer, President & CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association. “Our finalists represent every corner of the state and every segment of the industry, from neighborhood favorites to iconic regional brands. Their resilience, innovation and commitment to service continue to elevate Georgia as a premier dining destination.”
The 2025 GRACE Awards Gala will be held on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. The celebration brings together restaurant owners, chefs, suppliers and community leaders from across the state for an evening recognizing excellence in hospitality. George McKerrow of Ted’s Montana Grill will serve as master of ceremonies for this year’s festivities. Winners will be announced for Restaurateur of the Year, Emerging Restaurateur of the Year, Industry Partner of the Year, Hospitality Hero of the Year, Restaurant Manager of the Year, Restaurant Employee of the Year, the GRA Hall of Fame, Chairman’s Honor and the Georgia on My Mind People’s Choice Awards. Philip J. Hickey, Jr., the GRACE Lifetime Achievement honoree, will also be recognized.
“The GRACE Awards are more than a recognition of achievement—they are a reflection of the power of hospitality to build community and create opportunity,” added Fischer. “We look forward to celebrating these remarkable finalists and the role they play in driving Georgia’s economic success and cultural vibrancy.”
