The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Northwest Chapter is hosting its second annual “Rooftop Rendezvous,” on Thursday, September 27, 2018 on the roof of the Remington Suite Hotel & Spa, 220 Travis Street in Shreveport from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Open to the public, it will feature delicious food from some of the best LRA member restaurants in the Shreveport-Bossier area. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by the popular old-time string and percussion band, Magnolia Mae. A cash bar will be available all evening, along with beer and wine sampling. “We are so excited to bring back Rooftop Rendezvous to our members and the public,” said LRA Northwest Chapter President Jason McKinney. “The fantastic food and entertainment, paired with the Remington’s unbelievable view of the Shreveport skyline, will make for an unforgettable night!” Partygoers should bring their appetites, as they will be able to enjoy tastes from such restaurants as BeauJax, Boomtown Casino, Flying Heart Brewery, Fatty Arbuckle’s Pub, Texas Roadhouse, The Port Grill and Whisk, just to name a few! A silent auction will also be held during the event, with the top ticket item of the George Rodrigue print, “We Will Rise Again,” to take center stage. A portion of the proceeds from Rooftop Rendezvous will benefit the LRA Education Foundation (LRAEF). The LRAEF, in turn, will use monies raised to further promote the restaurant industry as a career choice through its restaurant management and culinary arts program, ProStart®, offered at six northwest Louisiana schools. It will also enhance the restaurant community through expanded educational and career opportunities, including culinary and hospitality scholarships. The Young Professionals Initiative (YPI) will also receive a portion of the proceeds. Sponsors for the 2018 Rooftop Rendezvous include: Remington Suite Hotel & Spa and the Young Professionals Initiative. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased in advance for $30 (parking is included). Reserved Sponsor Tables are also available. Visit www.LRA.org (view Featured Chapter Events) to purchase. For more information, contact LRA Chapter Member Services Coordinator Angela Martin at amartin@lra.org or (318) 366-1326. Recently, the Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations for a new provision allowing many owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships, trusts and S corporations to deduct 20 percent of their qualified business income.
The new deduction -- referred to as the Section 199A deduction or the deduction for qualified business income -- was created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The deduction is available for tax years beginning after Dec. 31, 2017. Eligible taxpayers can claim it for the first time on the 2018 federal income tax return they file next year. The deduction is generally available to eligible taxpayers whose 2018 taxable incomes fall below $315,000 for joint returns and $157,500 for other taxpayers. It’s generally equal to the lesser of 20 percent of their qualified business income plus 20 percent of their qualified real estate investment trust dividends and qualified publicly traded partnership income or 20 percent of taxable income minus net capital gains. Deductions for taxpayers above the $157,500/$315,000 taxable income thresholds may be limited. Those limitations are fully described in the proposed regulations. Qualified business income includes domestic income from a trade or business. Employee wages, capital gain, interest and dividend income are excluded. In addition, Notice 2018-64, also issued today, provides methods for calculating Form W-2 wages for purposes of the limitations on this deduction. More information in the form of FAQs on Section 199A can be found on IRS.gov. Taxpayers may rely on the rules in these proposed regulations until final regulations are published in the Federal Register. Written or electronic comments and requests for a public hearing on this proposed regulation must be received within 45 days of publication in the Federal Register. The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) Northshore Chapter is excited to present the inaugural event, “Northshore Chowdown: Taco Takeover,” which will be held Thursday, September 20, 2018 at Maison Lafitte, 402 Lafitte Street in Mandeville from 6-9 p.m.
Northshore Chowdown, which is featuring a taco battle in its first year, will feature LRA member restaurants’ taco-inspired dishes, margaritas, raffles and more. The public is invited to taste their way through the evening and vote on their favorite to receive the Chowdown Crown. “This new event will be the ‘taco-f’ of the town,” said LRA Northshore Chapter President Craig Smith. “We are encouraging all of our restaurants to give it all they’ve ‘guac’ to present the best dish of the night to those lucky enough to attend!” Time to ‘taco’ about some of the restaurants competing: The Lakehouse Restaurant, The Shack, Benedict’s Plantation, Old Rail Brewing Company, Bacobar, N’Tini’s and The Rusty Pelican, just to name a few. A portion of the proceeds from Northshore Chowdown: Taco Takeover will benefit the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF). The LRAEF, in turn, will use monies raised to further promote the restaurant industry as a career choice through its restaurant management and culinary arts program, ProStart®, offered at seven Northshore Louisiana schools. Thank you to our sponsors for the event: PJ’s Coffee, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Piggly Wiggly/Mizer’s and Beam Suntory. Tickets are available at $30 per person. To purchase tickets, visit www.LRA.org. Admission price includes food tastings, two margaritas and two voting tickets. NOTE: This event is open to the public, for ages 21 and up. For more information about the event or sponsorships, contact LRA Chapter Member Services Coordinator Ellyn Davis at edavis@lra.org or (504) 303-4660. The Louisiana Restaurant Association’s (LRA) Greater New Orleans Chapter, in partnership with New Orleans & Company, is excited to announce that its 8th Annual Restaurant Week New Orleans will be held September 10-16, 2018.
During this weeklong celebration of New Orleans cuisine, participating restaurants in the New Orleans metro area will offer special prix fixe menus. Restaurants will offer a two-course lunch for $20 or less and a three-course dinner for $39 or less. Some restaurants will also offer a three-course brunch for $39 or less. Participating restaurants range from fine-dining establishments to neighborhood favorites. Discover new places and enjoy old favorites! To check out the restaurant list and menus, visit www.RestaurantWeekNewOrleans.com. Diners can make reservations through OpenTable; seats fill fast. Share your Restaurant Week New Orleans experiences on social media with the hashtag, #RestaurantWeekNOLA. New this year: enter to win a Restaurant Week New Orleans Dine Around for 4! Beginning August 27, 2018, visit www.RestaurantWeekNewOrleans.com and click on the sweepstakes banner on the homepage to enter. The winner will receive a free dine around for four people on Friday, September 14: appetizers at DTB, entrees at Arnaud’s Restaurant and dessert at Commander’s Palace. Transportation will be provided in the Restaurant Week New Orleans-branded Chevy Tahoe, courtesy of Banner Chevrolet. Contest ends at noon, September 10, 2018. Diners can dig in at more than 100 participating restaurants:
A special thanks to 2018 Restaurant Week New Orleans sponsors: Gold Plate Sponsor:
Crystal Goblet Sponsors:
Silver Spoon Sponsor:
Friends of Restaurant Week New Orleans:
In-Kind Sponsors:
![]() The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) honored Ronnie Moore of Ye Olde College Inn in New Orleans with its Restaurant Legend Award August 15, 2018 at 4 p.m., at a surprise ceremony at the restaurant. The Restaurant Legends Award recognizes the long-term dedication of employees of the restaurant industry, with 20 or more years of service at an establishment. “Mo,” as he is affectionately known, was recognized not only for his exceptional frying skills, but also his tenacious work ethic and humor. Mo is a mainstay at Ye Olde College Inn, expertly frying any and all proteins and the restaurant’s famous stacked onion rings since 1990. Ye Olde College Inn owner Johnny Blancher calls Moore the “Greatest Fry Cook on the Planet,” and that three people can’t do what he does. “Generations of New Orleanians recognize that the fryer is an art form at College Inn,” said Blancher. “Without Mo, the standard would not have been set. Mo’s longevity is special, but the fact that he mastered the fryer sets him apart.” While some restaurants can be plagued by the “front of the house versus back of the house” mentality, Mo won’t have it—he demands a respectful environment. According to Blancher, all the restaurant’s employees look up to him for direction and guidance. LRA President & CEO Stan Harris presented Moore with his award. “It’s individuals like Ronnie that are the heart of this industry,” said Harris. “He doesn’t just do his job and do it masterfully, he inspires those around him to be the best they can be. That’s what makes a true restaurant legend.” Mo joins the nearly 300 individuals in Louisiana recognized by the LRA through its Restaurant Legends program. Collectively, these industry professionals have nearly 5,000 years of service to Louisiana restaurants and suppliers. The Louisiana Restaurant Association encourages its members to support our Louisiana shrimpers as they kick-off Gulf White Shrimp season. Join us in celebrating our fishing communities and the incredible role you as restaurateurs, play in Louisiana’s culture and heritage. Click here to see the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Opening Dates for the 2018 Season.
If you’re wondering what the recent tax cuts mean for your restaurant or business operation, Bourgeois Bennett breaks it down into easy to understand by topics—Pass-through income deduction; bonus depreciation; Section 179 Expensing; net operating losses; Employer credit for Paid Family or Medical Leave and more. To read the brief in its entirety, click here.
The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA)’s premier foodservice event, the LRA EXPO takes place August 4-6, 2018 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center, Halls I-J, with thousands of attendees. The EXPO is open to restaurant industry professionals from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, August 6, the EXPO is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“The EXPO is a must for restaurant owners, managers, buyers, hotel food and beverage directors and many others. It’s the only place in Louisiana to gain insightful industry knowledge and save valuable time by shopping hundreds of companies under one roof,” said Stan Harris, President & CEO of the LRA. The LRA EXPO is the largest, most comprehensive industry event in the Gulf South region. Companies will be featuring a wide range of industry-focused products and services. It will deliver an environment where exhibitors can promote their businesses and attendees can network. The EXPO welcomes more than 50 new exhibiting companies this year. The Opening Ceremony, Saturday morning, August 4, at 10:45 a.m. in the Hall I lobby, will feature special guest, National Restaurant Association Chair Jay Stieber, and will kick off 65 years of bringing together restaurateurs and suppliers for the ultimate shopping and learning experience. Stieber is the executive vice president and general counsel of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, which operates over 40 concepts in more than 120 locations in 11 states. During the ceremony, the LRA will also recognize its 2018 Class of NextGen award winners—leading young professionals in the restaurant and hospitality industry. They are: Richard Brennan III, chef at Dickie Brennan & Company; Ricky Castro, kitchen manager at Acme Oyster House; Priscilla Medina, digital marketing and promotions manager at Taste Buds Management and Katie Ostrowski, director of sales and marketing at Tujague’s Restaurant. The EXPO also features the popular IDEA ZONE, where express presentations will be made all three days of the EXPO and will cover emerging trends, best business practices and professional development. Timely sessions of note include:
See the full lineup at www.lraexpo.org. The 2018 LRA EXPO will once again be the venue for the Gulf Coast Seafood Pavilion and the Great American Seafood Cook-Off (GASCO), both celebrating 15 years co-locating at the LRA EXPO. They are produced by the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board (LSPMB) and the Louisiana Office of Tourism. On August 4, 12 chefs from across the nation will compete, using domestic seafood from their home states, vying for the title of King or Queen of American Seafood. In June, Chef Ryan Trahan of Blue Dog Café in Lafayette was crowned King of Louisiana Seafood during the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off. He will be representing Louisiana this year at GASCO. This year’s judges for the competition include former King of Louisiana Seafood Chef Brian Landry of Borgne Restaurant and co-founder of QED Hospitality in New Orleans; former winner of GASCO and Bravo’s Top Chef contestant, Chef Jim Smith, who is also the executive chef of the State of Alabama and James Beard Foundation’s Impact Programs Manager Sarah Drew. Hosts are Gerald Gruenig of KLFY-TV’s Passe Partout morning show in Lafayette and former King of Louisiana Seafood and restaurateur in Monroe, Chef Cory Bahr, who has appeared on the Food Network programs, “Food Network Star” and “Chopped.” “Having GASCO as part of the LRA EXPO demonstrates our industry’s commitment to promoting not only Gulf seafood, but all domestic seafood, as a center of the plate staple in Louisiana and beyond,” added Harris. The GASCO is open to the public and tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door of Hall J. Opening ceremonies begin at 11:30 a.m. and closing ceremonies will be at 4:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the LRA Education Foundation. PLEASE NOTE: While the GASCO is open to the public, the LRA EXPO is for foodservice industry professionals, at least 18 years of age, only. Security personnel will be onsite to monitor event barriers. Registered EXPO attendees will be allowed access to both events. The Diamond Sponsor of the EXPO is Capital One Bank. Platinum Sponsors of the EXPO are: Heartland, Pan American Life Insurance Group, Republic National Distributing Company, UnitedHealthcare, LRA Education Foundation and LRA Self Insurer’s Fund for Workers’ Compensation. Gold Sponsors of the EXPO are: Ecolab, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Midlands Management Corporation and LouisianaHospitalityJobs.com. The Silver Sponsors of the EXPO are: Bourgeois Bennett CPAs & Consultants, Caire Hotel & Restaurant Supply, Fisher Phillips LLP, Hailey McNamara, Hall, Larmann & Papale, LLP, Johnson, Yacoubian & Paysse and TLC Linen Services. |
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