The Louisiana Restaurant Association is pleased to announce the 2019 Officers and Directors of its Northeast Chapter. The chapter leadership was installed by 2019 LRA Chair Paul Rotner during the Annual Installation Dinner, November 26, 2018, at Warehouse No. 1 in Monroe.
Serving as the 2019 LRA Northeast Chapter President will be Darrell Whaley, store leader at Taco Bell in West Monroe. The 2019 Slate of Officers as recommended by the Nominating Committee are as follows:
The 2019 LRA Northeast Chapter Board of Directors includes:
The CDC has posted additional guidance regarding the romaine lettuce recall. The key action points to share with members are below. Additionally, here are 5 Tips to Follow When a Recall Happens. We are still using this statement if contacted by media.
“Quality ingredients are essential to the dining experience in restaurants in local communities across the country. We urge all restaurants to take the necessary precautions and follow the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration.” —William Weichelt, National Restaurant Association, Director of Food Safety and Industry Relations CDC Recommendations:
Read the full CDC post here. The LRA will be closed on Thursday, November 21, and Friday, November 22, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The CDC released guidance calling for the complete removal of romaine lettuce from the food supply, including in restaurants. Should you receive any media inquiries on this, please feel free to share this statement.
“Quality ingredients are essential to the dining experience in restaurants in local communities across the country. We urge all restaurants to take the necessary precautions and follow the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration.” —William Weichelt, National Restaurant Association, Director of Food Safety and Industry Relations. ![]() The Louisiana Restaurant Association is pleased to announce the 2019 Officers and Directors of its Greater New Orleans Chapter. The chapter leadership was installed by 2019 LRA Chair Paul Rotner during the Annual Awards and Installation Dinner, November 18, 2018, at the Pontchartrain Hotel in New Orleans. Serving as the 2019 LRA GNO Chapter President will be Ryan Haro, general manager at Manning’s in New Orleans. The 2019 Slate of Officers as recommended by the Nominating Committee are as follows:
The 2019 LRA GNO Chapter Board of Directors includes:
*Photo of LRA GNO Chapter President Ryan Haro attached. The Louisiana Restaurant Association Self Insurer’s Fund for Workers’ Compensation (LRA SIF) Board of Trustees recently declared a dividend of $2.75 million to eligible plan participants. The LRA SIF specializes in workers’ compensation for Louisiana’s hospitality industry and related businesses.
Celebrating its 37th year in 2019, and inclusive of this dividend, the LRA SIF has returned nearly $115 million to eligible members. This marks the 31st consecutive year the LRA SIF has declared a surplus in unused premium and interest income that will be returned to members. The program also announced the Louisiana Department of Insurance has approved premium rate reductions on several key classes of coverage including full-service restaurants, fast food restaurants and grocery stores. Our members’ promotion of workplace safety and getting their injured workers treated and back to work in a timely manner is why these rates are going down. “Our members’ commitment to providing a safe workplace for their team members paired with our Fund’s focus on personalized service and timely claims handling has resulted in this year’s dividend declaration and our rate reduction,” said Stan Harris, LRA SIF President & CEO. “Offering lower rates has an immediate positive impact on the profitability of our members, especially as they are experiencing significant increases in other aspects of their operations.” The LRA SIF was created in 1982 to and has grown to become one of the largest providers of hospitality and retail-focused workers’ compensation in the state. To be eligible for a dividend, the member must be in good standing with the LRA and the LRA SIF, and have a loss ratio that is equal to or less than 70 percent as of March 6, 2019. The dividend will be distributed in April 2019. To obtain a comparison quote or to learn more about how the LRA SIF can help you reduce your workers’ compensation costs, contact your independent insurance agent or the LRA SIF directly at (504) 454-2277 or visit www.LRASIF.org. Casbarian Siblings of Arnaud's Restaurant and Tabasco® Brand Among LRA Annual Award Recipients11/5/2018
The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) and its chair, Rob King, vice president of Pitt Grill Inc. in Lake Charles, are pleased to announce this year’s Restaurateur of the Year, Associate Member of the Year, Advocate of the Year and Hall of Fame Inductee. The honorees were recognized at the LRA Awards Reception at L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles October 29, 2018.
The 2018 Restaurateurs of the Year are co-proprietors and siblings Katy Casbarian and Archie Casbarian of Arnaud’s, French 75 Bar and Remoulade Restaurant in New Orleans. Both have volunteered extensively for the LRA, its Education Foundation and the Self Insurer’s Fund for Workers’ Compensation. This is the LRA’s most prestigious award and this recognition coincides with the 100th Anniversary of Arnaud’s Restaurant. The two are second-generation restaurateurs and second-generation members of the association. Under their leadership, the restaurant has undergone renovations to update the 975-seat establishment, which consists of a main dining room and numerous private dining options. French 75 Bar won a 2017 James Beard Award for Outstanding Bar Program, and it has appeared on Esquire Magazine’s Best Bars in America for several years. The 2018 Associate Member of the Year is TABASCO® Brand, led by fifth-generation family member and President and CEO Anthony “Tony” Simmons. TABASCO® Brand products are made by McIlhenny Company, founded by Edmund McIlhenny in 1868 on Avery Island, Louisiana. In 2018, McIlhenny Company celebrates its 150th Anniversary and bottles four million bottles of the pepper sauce per week, following an aging process of up to three years in white oak barrels. With 200 employees, half of which actually live on Avery Island, many of their parents and grandparents have worked and lived there as well. While the Original Red Pepper Sauce stays true to the history of TABASCO® Brand, the TABASCO Family of Flavors® features eight varieties of high-quality pepper sauces—from mild to wild, there’s something for everyone. TABASCO® is a global brand and has significantly contributed to Louisiana being internationally known for flavorful cuisine. The 2018 Hall of Fame Inductee is David Hearn of Catfish Cabin in Monroe, Louisiana—a second-generation co-owner, along with his brother Russell and sister Patricia. Hearn served as the LRA’s Chair in 2013 and has been an exemplary volunteer for its Self Insurer’s Fund for Workers’ Compensation and Education Foundation. He began working in the restaurant at the age of 11, and this is where his parents instilled service to others in him. Hearn is also a volunteer Ouachita Parish Reserve Deputy. He will join past inductees from the LRA’s Northeast Chapter, such as the late Don Weems of Waterfront Grill, who was a mentor to Hearn. The 2018 Advocate of Year is The Honorable Blake Miguez, a Louisiana State Representative for District 49, which encompasses Iberia and Vermillion parishes. Rep. Miguez serves on the Appropriations, Labor and Industrial Relations and the Natural Resources and Environment Committees. The Advocate of the Year recognizes an individual who has supported the advocacy efforts of the LRA and its partner industries. Rep. Miguez has worked closely with the LRA Advocacy Team to promote good public policy that benefits Louisiana’s restaurant industry—the state’s largest employer of 216,000 residents. The 2018 Chair’s Leadership Award recipient is Rocky Keeley of Mr. Gatti’s Pizza in Sulphur. Keeley joined the LRA Board of Directors in 1993. After 25 years of service to the LRA, he will enter honorary emeritus director status in 2019. “On behalf of the LRA, I am honored to recognize these award winners and commend them for the work they do not only for their individual businesses, but also for the association and the restaurant and hospitality industries,” said LRA Chair Rob King. The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship program for high school students pursuing post-secondary education, which could include college, culinary, or technical training. It is also open to those who already work in the industry to further their career trajectory. The application deadline is January 31, 2019. Scholars will be announced in early March 2019.
The LRAEF Scholarship Fund was created in 2009 and with the 2019 grants, the LRAEF will have awarded nearly $500,000 since the Fund’s inception. “The dollars that fund our LRAEF scholarships are generated by LRA members and chapters from around Louisiana who encourage interested students to apply,” noted LRA President & CEO Stan Harris. “Being an LRAEF Scholar can provide a launching pad for an amazing career in restaurants, hospitality or our supply chain community.” Applicants must be currently enrolled, or have been accepted in a bachelor and/or associate degree program in order to pursue or further a career in the restaurant or hospitality industry. Courses of study can include, but are not limited to, culinary, hospitality, tourism, business and management programs. Scholarship awards are merit-based and will vary based on available funds. The following scholarships will be awarded in 2019:
The online application can be accessed here and must be completed by January 31, 2019. “The LRAEF Scholarship program is a key part of our mission of education and preparing students for careers, specifically in the culinary and hospitality industries,” said LRAEF Executive Director Julie Talbot. “These industries provide great training for young people, as well as a path to economic opportunity.” The LRAEF, a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, exists to enhance the industry’s service to the public through education, workforce development and promotion of career opportunities. It also provides access to a registered apprenticeship program for LRA members seeking a structured advancement program for its existing and future workforce. If you would like to make a donation, please contact Julie Talbot, jtalbot@lra.org or (504) 210-2505. |
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