Amporn Vasquez, the head chef at Pizza by Elizabeths, was honored by the National Restaurant Association with a Faces of Diversity Award. Vasquez escaped abuse and an arranged marriage in her home country or Thailand at 14 and managed to make it to the United States. Restaurant owner Betsy LeRoy inspired her to go to culinary school and made her the executive chef of the restaurant.
The Culinary Institute of America also received a Faces of Diversity award this year for developing a campus in San Antonio, Texas that helps Latino and Hispanic students start a better career in the food industry. They were awarded the special Inspiration Award for their dedication to helping underprivileged students reach management positions through quality training.
Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, a chef from Chicago, bested three other top competitive eaters to take the Wingstop World Wing Eating Championship title. He received $5,000 in prize money for finishing the most wings in 12 minutes. He holds top honors in 29 foods and is the #2 overall competitive eater in the world Number one eater Joey Chestnut came in third this time.
The Washington Restaurant Association is grateful that Gov. Christine Gregoire has signed SB 5501 into law. Prior to the passing of this law Washington state restaurants were required to pay sales tax on all meals given free to employees. The reduction of this unnecessary tax will help restaurants in the state thrive and lower their costs for customers.
On the next episode of NBC New York’s “The Great American Health Challenge”, Chop’t Creative Salads will challenge contestants to build the best kid’s salad ever. Chop’t supplies fresh salad ingredients to the WITS, which provides meals to hundreds of schools. WITS is part of Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign to prevent childhood obesity.
Golden Corral is sponsoring the up and coming PGA Pro Jeff Klauk in this season of PGA tour events. If Jeff finishes in the Top 10 in any event, customers can bring in a printed report of the finish to receive a free kid’s buffet with the purchase of an adult buffet. Golden Corral is proud to sponsor athletes like Jeff Klauk.
Shakey’s Pizza has been missing from Utah for over a decade, but that will soon change. Two new all-day buffet locations will be opening in the greater Salt Lake area, including one that will open April 27th. Shakey’s was originally opened in 1954 and included hot pizza and ragtime music. The new locations still retain their parlor style and offer a family friendly pizza buffet.
To celebrate moms, dads and recent graduates, the Bravo Brio Restaurant Group is offering an extra $10 for free for each $50 gift card purchased. These gift cards make the perfect gift for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day and Graduation Day. Many Bravo or Brio restaurant locations offer private dining free of charge, making it perfect for large groups.
The Nova Southeastern University’s H. Wayne Huizenga Business School’s Entrepreneur Hall of Fame has inducted John Schnatter, the entrepreneur who founded Papa John’s. The Hall of Fame recognizes great entrepreneurs who gave everything to their company and became successful in return.
A large location of the popular restaurant the Old Spaghetti Factory will be opening in Redwood City, California. The Old Spaghetti Factory is not usually franchised, and the company who operates 12 other locations in California is one of the only franchisees. Other than the 12 California franchise locations the chain has 28 restaurants across the country.