2025 GRACE Award Winners — Buckhead Life, Fat Man’s Café and More

The 2025 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards winners were announced Monday, Dec. 8, at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. The GRACE Awards Gala is the Georgia Restaurant Association’s (GRA) annual event honoring Georgia’s restaurant industry.

2025 GRACE Awards Winners

Restaurateur of the Year – I. Pano Karatassos, Pano I. Karatassos and Niko I. Karatassos of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, Atlanta

For decades, the Karatassos family has set the gold standard for Georgia dining through Buckhead Life Restaurant Group’s acclaimed concepts, each built on the belief that great hospitality comes from “a thousand little things.” Their celebrated portfolio continues to shape Atlanta’s culinary excellence and define what exceptional dining feels like. As industry leaders, they remain committed to elevating standards of quality, service and guest experience.

Other finalists for the award included Scott McCray, LEAD Hospitality; Feroz Delawalla, Louisiana Bistreaux and Malone’s Steak & Seafood; and Tal Baum, Oliva Restaurant Group.

Emerging Restaurateur of the Year – Kyle Bryner, Blue Hound Barbecue, Dillard

From pit to plate, Kyle Bryner’s Blue Hound Barbecue embodies bold flavor, craftsmanship and community pride. Bryner’s unwavering commitment to quality has made Blue Hound a destination for barbecue lovers across Georgia and beyond.

Other nominees included Hudson Terrell of The Animal Farm and Gabagool Italian in Columbus; Erika Council of Bomb Biscuit Co., Atlanta; and Arnaldo Castillo of Tio Lucho’s, Atlanta.

Hospitality Hero of the Year – Brad and Hav Usry, Fat Man’s Café & Catering, Augusta

For the Usry family, hospitality has always meant uplifting their community, a belief that came to life after Hurricanes Debby and Helene, when Fat Man’s Café & Catering became a lifeline to shelters and first responders across devastated areas. Their rapid, compassionate response honors a multigenerational tradition of service. Fat Man’s continues to exemplify the heart of Southern hospitality when communities need it most.

Other nominees for the award included Greg Parker of Parker’s Kitchen, multiple locations across Georgia, and Publix Super Markets – Atlanta Division.

Industry Partner of the Year – Gas South

With a mission to “Be a Fuel for Good,” Gas South powers Georgia’s hospitality industry through reliable service, meaningful community investment and a commitment to doing what’s right. Their partnership helps restaurants thrive across the state and strengthens the communities they serve. Gas South’s continued support of local businesses reflects its deep belief in the future of Georgia’s hospitality sector.

Other finalists for the award included Halpern’s Steak & Seafood and Sard & Leff.

The Association also awarded several honors that were announced before the ceremony, including its employees of the year and Hall of Fame inductions.

• Restaurant Manager of the Year – Nathan Martin, Ted’s Montana Grill, Peachtree City

Nathan Martin has built a culture of trust and teamwork at Ted’s Montana Grill in Peachtree City, earning the respect of both his team and his guests. His thoughtful leadership and commitment to operational excellence set a powerful example for managers across the state. Martin’s dedication to people and process defines what it means to lead with purpose.

• Restaurant Employee of the Year – Brian Boyle, Atlanta Fish Market, Atlanta

For three decades, Brian Boyle has brought joy, connection and unparalleled hospitality to Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, creating memorable experiences that keep guests returning time and again. His consistency, pride in his craft and care for every person he serves exemplify the spirit of this award. Boyle’s legacy is one of excellence, heart and unwavering professionalism.

• Restaurant Employee of the Year – Presented posthumously to Traci Heller, Hudson Grille

Traci Heller’s warmth, generosity and unmistakable presence made her the heart of Hudson Grille Midtown, where she created unforgettable moments for every guest she welcomed. Her leadership and compassion continue to inspire her team and community. Traci’s legacy of kindness and hospitality will remain a lasting imprint on all who knew her.

• Hall of Fame – Claude Guillaume

With more than three decades in Atlanta’s top dining rooms, Claude Guillaume has built a legacy of excellence, integrity and hospitality. From leading AAA Five-Diamond Ritz-Carlton properties to directing Paradies Lagardère’s $700 million dining division, he elevated the guest experience at every turn. His influence across hundreds of restaurants set lasting benchmarks in refinement, leadership and service. Throughout his career, Guillaume championed rigorous training standards and service innovations that were adopted across airport dining programs nationwide.

• Hall of Fame – George McKerrow

George McKerrow is a 50-year restaurant industry veteran and a co-founder of the Georgia Restaurant Association, whose vision and leadership helped shape the modern dining landscape. As the founder of LongHorn Steakhouse and co-founder of Ted’s Montana Grill, he built iconic concepts grounded in quality and hospitality. His enduring commitment to excellence, mentorship and community service has made him one of Georgia’s most respected voices in hospitality. He also helped spark the revitalization of Atlanta’s casual dining scene in the 1980s and 1990s, creating scalable models that influenced operators across the Southeast.

• Hall of Fame – I. Pano Karatassos

Pano Karatassos, founder and CEO of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group and a co-founder of the Georgia Restaurant Association, stands among Atlanta’s most influential culinary leaders. Since opening Pano’s & Paul’s in 1979, he has shaped the city’s dining landscape through a celebrated portfolio of restaurants in Georgia and South Florida that continue to set standards for quality and service. A passionate champion of hunger relief, he has raised over $10 million through Share Our Strength and created Atlanta’s Table to support the community. His lifetime dedication to excellence, philanthropy and hospitality has firmly established him as a cornerstone of Georgia’s restaurant industry. Karatassos also played a key role in elevating Buckhead into a premier dining district, helping attract national culinary attention to Atlanta in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Lifetime Achievement – Philip J. Hickey Jr.

Known for his leadership, generosity and passion for people, Phil Hickey has spent over 50 years shaping restaurants and the professionals who run them. He co-founded Rio Bravo Mexican Grill, served as president of Copeland’s and Cheesecake Bistro, and led Rare Hospitality as president and COO during the expansion of LongHorn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille. Most recently, as chairman of Miller’s Ale House, he championed the development of a people-first culture and operational excellence across more than 100 locations. A past chairman of the National Restaurant Association, Hickey has been a driving force for workforce development and hospitality education nationwide. His impact can be felt in every brand he has touched and in the countless leaders he has mentored throughout his extraordinary career.

The GRACE Awards are peer-nominated, and winners are selected by the GRACE Academy made up of past honorees, the GRA Board of Directors and GRA Advisory Board. GRACE winners are presented with crystal works of art created by renowned local artist Hans Godo Fräbel. Also presented during the event was the 2025 GRA Chairman’s Award, given to Governor Brian Kemp.

“Georgia’s restaurant community is built by extraordinary people whose passion and resilience uplift our entire state,” said Stephanie Fischer, GRA President and CEO. “It is an honor to recognize their achievements and celebrate the excellence they bring each day. Their contributions fuel local economies, strengthen neighborhoods and reflect the very best of Georgia hospitality.”

Photo Credit: Brandon Amato