Dear Restaurateurs,

Much has happened as I approach the halfway mark in my term as Chair of the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA). As an association, this is certainly a year of crisis management, transition and of course, business as usual.

The LRA has been on the front line of the BP Oil Crisis, as the local, national and international media have called on the association to give insight on the spill’s impact to the state’s restaurant industry. With an announced minimum six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling, the LRA has joined forces with Governor Jindal, the Office of Tourism, our elected officials in Washington, and business and tourism groups to urge President Obama to consider the jobs at stake for Louisianans and the impact the moratorium will have on the oil and gas industry and other industries directly related.

Also, this year marks LRA President & CEO Jim Funk’s final one at the helm of one of the largest business trade association. A national search is underway to name his successor and the industry will celebrate his 30 years of service on August 7 at the Ritz Carlton in New Orleans during the Louisiana Foodservice EXPO.

LRA “business as usual” during the summer means getting ready for the Louisiana Foodservice EXPO—now in its 57^th.  Themed “Carnival in the Kitchen,” the show has exceeded its budget and companies are still calling in to take part. Attendee registration is strong and there’s great interest in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off as well.

I have traveled the state and talked to many of you about the challenges and rewards of owning a restaurant in Louisiana. As the largest private sector employer in the state, we have overcome hurricanes, recessions and no doubt we will overcome this massive oil spill in the Gulf.  

The LRA’s motto, “What we do together does make a difference.” Now more than ever.

Sincerely,

Mike Walker

Chair, Louisiana Restaurant Association

2010 LRA Chair
Mike Walker
Walker's Cajun Dining Seafood & Steaks
Jennings, LA