LRA Announces Inaugural Class of NEXTGEN 30 & Under Louisiana Hospitality Awards

Frances Bodet

Patrick Brennan

Taylor Harvey

Theresa Langlois

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) is pleased to recognize the 2017 Inaugural Class of its newest recognition program, NEXTGEN 30 & Under Louisiana Hospitality Awards. The LRA-member nominated young professionals were chosen for their talent, drive and service toward the restaurant and hospitality industry.
 
“Over the next ten years, the restaurant industry in Louisiana is expected to add more than 17,000 jobs,” said LRA President & CEO Stan Harris. “Young professionals who are entering the workforce bring a fresh and modern approach to their careers, with new and innovative ideas that will take us into the next generation of successful entrepreneurship. We applaud these young men and women for taking the initiative and making the most of their opportunities in our industry.”
 
Members of the NEXTGEN 30 & Under Hospitality Award Inaugural Class are Frances Bodet of The Ruby Slipper in New Orleans, Patrick Brennan of Brennan’s Restaurant in New Orleans, Taylor Harvey of Rotolo’s Pizzeria in Baton Rouge and Theresa Langlois of Kalurah Street Grill in Baton Rouge.
 
Frances Bodet is currently the senior general manager of The Ruby Slipper Café's French Quarter location in New Orleans. Since her start in the restaurant business two and a half years ago, the 29-year-old has delivered significant results in her roles as manager at the company’s Marigny location and as general manager at the Central Business District location. Her peers think of her as someone who exhibits passion, skill and drive in her approach to hospitality.
 
Patrick Brennan is a 29-year-old Sous Chef who started working for his family’s business at the young age of 24. He has contributed many new ideas to Brennan’s, such as modernizing the coffee program, reimaging the restaurant’s cheese program to pair with champagne and launching “boozy summer snoballs” during “Friday’s Bubbles at Brennan’s Happy Hour” in the Roost Bar and Courtyard.
 
Taylor Harvey found his way to Rotolo’s Pizzeria three years ago while looking for a part-time job. Since then, he has quickly moved up to training coordinator, a position where he uses his past filmmaking experience to script and shoot videos that are used for training franchisees and managers. Harvey will head up the new store opening team this year with two stores coming soon.
 
Theresa Langlois started off as an assistant wedding coordinator in her college years and has worked her way up to the director of catering and events of Kalurah Street Grill, Ivor’s and the River Room. She is also a member of the LRA’s Greater Baton Rouge Chapter Board.
 
“It means a lot to me that I’ve been entrusted to plan people’s most memorable life events,” Langlois said. “One of my mentors, Cheramie Gosnell at LSU, instilled in me that I will always be learning in this role, and that’s really the greatest reward.
 
The Inaugural Class of NEXTGEN 30 & Under Hospitality Award recipients will be recognized at the Opening Ceremony of the Louisiana Foodservice & Hospitality EXPO Saturday, August 5 at 10:45 a.m. in Hall I at the New Orleans Convention Center.