Willy Bitter of Willy’s Mexicana Grill among Finalists Rolling into GRACE Awards Gala Nov. 13

September brought exciting word that Willy’s Mexicana Grill founder and CEO Willy Bitter is a finalist for the 2016 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Award. This weekend, GRACE award winners will be announced at the 10^th anniversary of the GRACE Awards Gala on Sunday, Nov. 13. The event, a high spot of the year for those in Georgia’s restaurant industry (as evident by sold-out ticket status), takes off at 6 p.m. in the Delta Flight Museum. Eight peer-nominated award categories will be honored by the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA). Willy Bitter and Willy’s are up for the Distinguished Service Award recognizing leadership, demonstrated community service, charitable involvement and/or service to the restaurant industry. Kindness overflows from Willy’s eateries like the abundance of fresh fillings spilling out of their big rolled-to-order burritos. One example is Willy’s commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta through fundraising as well as involvement in the organization’s “Positive Sprouts” initiative to establish healthy eating habits and nutritional awareness. A portion of gala proceeds will benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Gracias! Georgia Restaurant Association Names Willy’s Mexicana Grill a 2016 GRACE Award Finalist

Say GRACE and pass the guac. Willy’s Mexicana Grill founder and CEO Willy Bitter is a finalist for the 2016 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Award. Willy and Willy’s were nominated by peers for the Distinguished Service Award, one of the eight award categories designated by the Georgia Restaurant Association(GRA). Providing leadership, demonstrated community service, charitable involvement and/or service to the restaurant industry are among the criteria considered for the honor. Willy’s rolls the burrito-loving arms of its 28 Georgia locations around all of these acts of kindness. One example is Willy’s commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta through fundraising as well as involvement in the organization’s “Positive Sprouts” initiative to establish healthy eating habits and nutritional awareness. The GRA will announce this year’s winners at the 10^th Annual GRACE Awards Gala taking place on November 13 at the Delta Flight Museum. A portion of Gala proceeds will benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Find ticket and sponsorship information here.

Ray’s on the River and Tin Lizzy’s Cantina are Up for Distinguished Service Award at GRACE Gala November 1

Hard to go unnoticed when you’re as involved in the community as debonair Ray’s on the River and fun-loving Tin Lizzy’s Cantina. Restaurant peers couldn’t let a year go by without nominating the two philanthropic eateries for the 2015 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards in the Distinguished Service category. What a sweet honor in itself! The icing comes when the GRACE Academy announces GRACE award winners during its annual GRACE Awards Gala taking place Sunday, November 1 in The Foundry at Puritan Mill. GRACE Academy consists of all past GRACE nominees and current Georgia Restaurant Association members. Talk about a grace-filled room. The Giving Kitchen, another GRACE-ful do-gooder, is an Industry Partner of the Year finalist. 

Ray’s on the River and Tin Lizzy’s Cantina are 2015 GRACE Award Finalists

Ray’s on the River and Tin Lizzy’s Cantina offer totally different dining experiences yet both share an intense desire to serve their communities -- contributions noticed by their peers. The two restaurants are finalists in the 2015 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) “Distinguished Service” awards category. All award finalists are peer nominated, and winners are decided by the GRACE Academy, which consists of all past GRACE nominees and current Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) members. Award winners will be announced at the GRACE Awards Galaon November 1. And while we’re saying “GRACE,” shout out to The Giving Kitchen, an Industry Partner of the Year finalist! 

Ford Fry Nominated for GRACE Restaurateur of the Year Award After Dishing Out Several ATL Successes

 

Love this award acronym and the chef who’s up for it. Ford Fry is a finalist for the Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) award for Restaurateur of the Year. It is no surprise to see Fry nominated by his industry peers for this seventh annual award recognizing leaders who have made outstanding contributions to Georgia’s restaurant industry. Boy, has he! With restaurants JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246, The Optimist and King + Duke under his toque, not to mention food and fun-loving community contributions such as summer’s annual Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival and People’s Food Truck in his pantry, it’s apparent Fry is a key ingredient in Atlanta’s diverse restaurant scene. GRACE winners will be announced November 10 at the GRACE Awards Gala to be held at The Foundry at Puritan Mill. The theme of this year's event will be a farm-to-table look and feel. Aside from a cocktail reception, three-course dinner featuring delights from the finalists, there will also be live music to entertain the night away. Grab your favorite people and join in a festive night honoring Georgia's most brilliant minds in the food industry. Visit the Georgia Restaurant Association website for more information and to make your reservation.