The GRACE Awards

Restaurateur of the Year - Chris Hall, Todd Mussman & Ryan Turner, Local Three Kitchen & Bar

Finalists:

Richard Blais, Trail Blais

Riccardo Ullio, U Restaurants

 

Industry Partner of the Year: Kathleen Ciaramello, Coca-Cola Refreshments

Finalists:

Michelle Davidson, The Defoor Centre

Walt Davis, Retail Data Systems

 

Distinguished Service Award: Rich Chey, HomeGrown Restaurant Concepts

Finalists:

Jo Ann Herold, Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc.

Brian Lyman, Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q

 

The Innovator Award: Will Harris, White Oak Pastures

Finalists: 

Delia Champion & Molly Gunn, Delia's Chicken Sausage Stand

Keith M. Schroeder & Hunter Thornton, High Road Craft Ice Cream & Sorbet, Inc.

 

Coca-Cola Refreshments, Heartland Payment Systems, Gas South, Georgia Power Company, US Foods™, Innovative Marketing & Design, Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP, Tappan Street Restaurant Group, Inc.

This signature gala is the must-attend event honoring Georgia's Restaurant Industry. 

 

The GRACE awards are peer-nominated and honor the top finalists in the following categories: Restaurateur of the Year, Industry Partner of the Year, Distinguished Service Award and the Innovator Award. The winners are announced at the event, and are presented with crystal works of art created by renowned local artist Hans-Godo Frabel.

Past honorees and speakers include Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy and Chef Kevin Gillespie of Top Chef fame. This year, we will honored a cutting-edge group - including Ted Turner, who was on-hand to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Also, Lois Reitzes of WABE 90.1 FM was Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening. 

 

This event is a case study in Local, Sustainable & Green event planning. The GRACE Awards gala uses environmentally sensitive printing, sustainable decor and locally sourced food & beverage. This included sustainable product from our Innovator Award Finalists.

 

In addition, a portion of the proceeds benefits the Atlanta Community Food Bank! The Atlanta Community Food Bank’s mission is to fight hunger by engaging, educating, and empowering the community. Bill Bolling, founder and executive director of the Atlanta Community Food Bank said, “Through the leadership of the GRA, we have realized tremendous support and recognition from an industry that is so important to Atlanta and the state. The money raised from the annual awards gala will support the Food Bank’s efforts to feed the hungry throughout North Georgia.”

 

To learn more about the event, view this interactive online presentation.