GRA Weekly

February 17, 2022

This week's newsletter is brought to you by GRA Corporate Partner, Seated.

2022 GEORGIA GROWN EXECUTIVE CHEFS ANNOUNCED

(Pictured above (L to R): Chef Jessica Rothacker, Chef Alex Friedman, Chef Jamie Adams, Chef Peter Vossenberg, Chef Holly Chute, Governor Brian P. Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, Karen Bremer)

Congratulations to the 2022 Class of Georgia Grown Executive Chefs

Yesterday, the Georgia Restaurant Association and Georgia Department of Agriculture honored the 2022 Georgia Grown Executive Chefs in conjunction with the annual Taste of Georgia Legislative Reception. The Georgia Grown Executive Chef Program seeks to promote the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Georgia Grown campaign statewide in featuring Georgia Grown products in restaurants and consumer awareness on what local Georgia products are in season. The 2022 Georgia Grown Executive Chefs include: Chef Jamie Adams, Chef Alex Friedman, Chef Claudia Martinez, Chef Jessica Rothacker, and Chef Peter Vossenberg.

STATE RESTAURANT DAY

(Pictured above (L to R): Alexis Kinsey, Justin Triplett, Stephanie Fischer, Governor Brian P. Kemp, Karen Bremer, Daniel New, Representative Casey Carpenter)

Every year, the Georgia Restaurant Association has resolutions read in the House and Senate proclaiming State Restaurant Day at the Capitol. This year we were extremely excited to have Governor Brian Kemp and Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan to meet with members of our Executive Committee to talk about issues the industry is facing. We look forward to continuing to work with everyone to find ways to support the restaurant industry.

(Pictured above (L to R): Karen Bremer, Daniel New, Stephanie Fischer, Justin Triplett, Alexis Kinsey, Hank Clark, Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan)

STATE OF THE PLATE

How could legislation regarding Public Health and Horse Racing impact your restaurant? Want an RRF update? Get information on this and more from GRA's President + CEO Karen Bremer. Watch now.

TASTE OF GEORGIA

GRA IN THE NEWS

Congratulations to GRA President + CEO, Karen Bremer, on being named one of the most influential suppliers and vendors in the country by Nation's Restaurant News

Every year, Nation’s Restaurant News editors select influential industry insiders for The Power List. This year, our list focused on people who are evolving the restaurant industry through fresh ideas and game-changing approaches to leadership, workforce, equity and inclusion, investment, restaurant technology, supply chain, growth models and more.

2022 JAMES BEARD AWARDS

Congratulations to all the James Beard Semifinalist nominees from the Great State of Georgia!

Kevin Gillespie with Red Beard Restaurants
Todd Richards and Joshua Lee with The Soulful Company (Lake & Oak)
Mashama Bailey with The Grey
Mia Orino and Carlo Gan with Kamayan ATL
Claudia Martinez with Miller Union
Jen Yee with Hopkins and Company
Ticonderoga Club
Lyla Lila
Jason Liang with Brush Sushi Izakaya
Craig Richards with Lyla Lila
Joey Ward with Southern Belle and Georgia Boy

Read the full list.

SO YOU WANT TO RUN A RESTAURANT?

So You Want to Run a Restaurant: Season 2 Premiere!

So You Want to Run a Restaurant is back, and they're kicking off their new season with an exciting guest: Federico Castellucci, President and CEO of Castellucci Hospitality Group in Atlanta. Give it a listen as he talks about growing up in a restaurant family, how he turned the family business around, and how he approaches adopting new technology in his restaurants. Listen now.

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

ERTC Delays Causing Cash Flow Problems

The Association sent a letter to the Treasury and IRS warning that the current backlog of Employee Retention Tax Credit refunds is creating a cash flow problem for operators who find themselves owing taxes on monies they haven’t received yet. Read the release.

Regulation on Tipped Employee Pay Goes Live

The DOL’s new “dual jobs” regulation is in effect. Operators can no longer take a tip credit for the time employees spend on tasks considered “directly supporting work” that exceeds 20% of the workweek or 30 continuous minutes. The Association’s Restaurant Law Center is arguing the case on behalf of operators. Read more and listen to the full webinar.

Join Association in Today’s Day of Action for RRF

Leaders in the hospitality sector are calling on industry advocates across the country to participate in the #HelpHospitality Day of Action today to urge their representatives in Congress to provide additional funding for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (Continuing Emergency Support for Restaurants Act S. 2675). Join the action.

FREE SERVSAFE COURSE

ServSafe COVID-19 Conflict De-Escalation Course is FREE

Course offers restaurant employees guidance on how to reduce tensions and promote a safe environment when following mask and vaccination proof mandates. Teach employees how to ease tensions while maintaining the spirit of hospitality throughout all interactions. Get it here.

FOOD WASTE PREVENTION WEEK

April 4-8, 2022 is Food Waste Prevention Week.

It has been celebrated throughout the southeast and this year we are expanding into Metro Atlanta. This will be a dynamic week, chock full of engaging activities to raise awareness and inspire everyone to reduce food waste at home, at work, and in our communities. All are welcome to join! There will be social media games and challenges, K-12 student art contests, invention marathons, webinars with special guests including celebrated local chefs and elected officials, and much more.

Interested in being included in planning and organizational meetings and granted access to the full communication toolkit for Food Waste Prevention Week? Partner Info Sessions: March 1 at 3:00PM. Please register and listen in if you’re available or the session will be recorded.