LRA Honors Restaurant Legends and Neighbor Award Recipients at Acadiana Chapter Ceremony

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) is pleased to name three new Restaurant Legends and one state National Restaurant Association Restaurant Neighbor Award winner in the Acadiana Chapter. Tom Yongue of Freshko Foodservice in Lake Charles and Terry and Carnel Harrison of Café Bella in Lafayette were recognized as LRA Restaurant Legends, and Leonard Louvierre of Zea’s Rotisserie and Grill was recognized as the LRA State Award winner of the Restaurant Neighbor Award. These recipients were honored at the LRA Acadiana Chapter Dinner and Awards Presentation at City Club at River Ranch on September 16, 2019.
 
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. With over 76 years of combined service, these three Restaurant Legends exemplify what it means to have a rewarding career in our industry.
 
Tom Yongue has been employed with Freshko Outside Sales since 1995. He is described by his supervisors as a loyal and dedicated employee since day one.
 
Terry Harrison and Carnel Harrison have been with Café Bella since 1993. Both Terry and Carnel are described as stellar employees with fantastic worth ethics and attitudes. Terry is the Head Chef at Café Bella and Carnel is the Sous Chef.
 
“It’s individuals like Tom, Terry and Carnel that are the heart of this industry,” said Stan Harris, LRA President and CEO. “They don’t just do their jobs masterfully; they inspire those around them to be the best they can be. That’s what makes a true restaurant legend.”
 
Yongue, Terry and Carnel Harrison join more than 260 individuals in our state recognized by the LRA through its Restaurant Legends program. Collectively, these industry professionals have more than 5,000 years of service to Louisiana restaurants and suppliers.
 
The Restaurant Neighbor Award honors restaurateurs for outstanding community service and involvement and highlights the positive contributions restaurateurs make in their local communities. This year’s state winner is Leonard Louvierre, Partner and General Manage of Zea Rotisserie and Grill, Lafayette.
 
Louvierre is known by his peers as a kind, compassionate and charitable man that is committed to serving his community. As a cancer survivor himself, Louvierre has been a board member on the Dance to a Cure Cancer event, won the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man of the Year, and holds a Crawfish Boil for Hospice of Acadiana annually. He also serves as a Team Leader at KAIROS Prison Ministry at Angola, the largest maximum-security prison in the United States.
 
“I’ve known and worked with him for 17 years and I continue to be impressed with his commitment to serving his community,” said Greg Reggio of Taste Buds Management, which operates Zea and Semonlina Restaurants, as he presented the award to Louvierre. “Leonard’s faith is the centerpiece of his life and work. He’s willing to put himself in situations with people are at their most vulnerable and provide guidance and more importantly, hope.”

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