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On the Radar: Latest Trends & Updates
Here, you'll find timely updates, industry insights, and exciting announcements about our association and the vibrant restaurant community we serve. Stay informed about upcoming events, important initiatives, and key developments that impact our industry. We’re thrilled to keep you connected and engaged with the latest happenings in the world of hospitality.
Latest News On February 20, Tujague’s officially marked its 170th anniversary, honoring nearly two centuries of continuous operation in the heart of the French Quarter. Founded in 1856, the iconic restaurant now enters its 170th year as one of the longest-running dining institutions in the United States, a distinction earned not through reinvention, but through…
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Latest News Charlie Goodson never set out to become a restaurant legend-but hospitality found him anyway. What started in 1967 as a bartending job while struggling through engineering courses turned into a lifetime devoted to restaurants, people, and community. As Charlie once put it, “I started going to school less and working more.” That honesty,…
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Latest News The Trump Administration has released the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), and the National Restaurant Association (NRA) is proud to see the restaurant industry-and its Kids LiveWell® (KLW) program-recognized as part of the solution. Throughout the development of the Guidelines, the NRA worked closely with leaders at the White House, USDA, and…
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Latest News As we approach the end of the year and the Thanksgiving season, LRA President and CEO Stan Harris shares key updates on federal and state policy issues shaping Louisiana’s hospitality industry – and extends heartfelt thanks to our members for their partnership and support. Federal Government Reopens After 43-Day Shutdown Last week, the…
Latest News The U.S. Court of International Trade has stayed NOAA’s planned January 1, 2026, import ban on blue swimming crab from Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka-a major development for seafood importers and restaurant operators who depend on these key overseas fisheries. Key Takeaways Import Ban Paused: The scheduled January 1, 2026, import…
Latest News For the first time, the American South has been included in the Michelin Guide, and we’re proud to celebrate our Louisiana Restaurant Association members recognized in this inaugural selection. LRA members were featured across multiple categories, including Recommended Eateries, Bib Gourmand honorees, and Michelin Star recipients. Congratulations to Emeril’s for earning two Michelin…
Latest News New Orleans Mayoral and City Council Races The recent Oct. 11 elections in New Orleans reflected a clear mandate from the city’s voters. Helena Moreno was elected Mayor, while the City Council At-Large seats were won by JP Morrell (reelected with 66% of the vote) and Matthew Willard (59%), making them the first…
Latest News The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) will host its 4th Annual Oktoberfest on Sunday, October 26, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Live Oak at Cedar Lodge, located in the heart of Baton Rouge. The community is invited to join in this festive celebration featuring German-themed food, drinks, and live entertainment-all while supporting Louisiana’s…
Latest News The U.S. Department of Treasury has released new guidance on how the recently enacted No Tax on Tips provision will apply to restaurant and hospitality workers. This provision allows eligible workers to deduct up to $25,000 of qualified tips per year from 2025 through 2028, giving tipped employees meaningful tax relief on the…
Latest News New Orleans & Company, Sirha Food, and the Louisiana Restaurant Association are bringing the Americas selections of the Pastry World Cup and Bocuse d’Or back to New Orleans in July 2026. For the first time, these prestigious international competitions will take place alongside the 2026 LRA Showcase at the New Orleans Ernest N.…
Latest News On September 5, Zea Rotisserie & Bar celebrated a milestone moment-recognizing more than 300 combined years of service from 15 dedicated team members. The occasion was marked with a special breakfast honoring employees who have made Zea their career home for decades. This recognition is part of the Restaurant Legends Award, established in…
Latest News Each year on the third Friday of September, Americans pause to honor the courage, sacrifice, and enduring hope surrounding our nation’s Prisoners of War (POWs) and those still Missing in Action (MIA). In 2025, National POW/MIA Recognition Day falls on Friday, September 19, and the Louisiana Restaurant Association joins the Lt. Governor in…
Latest News Prices continued to rise in July, though not quite as quickly as the previous month. The government’s Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) report, the inflation measure the Federal Reserve watches most closely, showed overall prices up 0.2% from June, slightly lower than June’s 0.3% increase. Compared with a year ago, prices remain 2.6% higher,…