The Voice of Georgias Restaurants Advocacy | Education | Awareness

7th Annual GRACE Awards Gala Finalists Announced

ATLANTA (September 3, 2013) The Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) revealed the finalists for the 7th Annual Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards. These finalists are peer nominated and the winners will be announced November 10th at the GRACE Awards Gala to be held at The Foundry at Puritan Mill. Mara Davis, cohost of Atlanta Eats, will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies. The GRA will also honor this years Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Steve Nygren of Serenbe. The GRACE Awards recognize and pay tribute to the leaders who have made outstanding contributions to Georgia's restaurant industry. All finalists are peer nominated, which ensures that we honor the most deserving of our Industry. To learn more about the GRACE Awards, or purchase tickets, visit www.garestaurants.org/GRACE. 2013 GRACE AWARDS FINALISTS Restaurateur of the Year Archna Becker, Bhojanic Jamie Durrence, Local 11ten, Perch, The Public Kitchen & Bar Ford Fry, JCT. Kitchen & Bar, No. 246, The Optimist, King + Duke Industry Partner of the Year Jackson Lewis LLP NetFinancials, Inc. Sysco

Distinguished Service Award Debby Cannon, Georgia State University Charles H. Kuck, Kuck Immigration Partners LLC Sam Zamarripa & Dan Moody, The Essential Economy Council

The Innovator Award Frozen Pints Kennesaw State University Pure Knead

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Steve Nygren, Serenbe Chairmans Award Winner Michele L. Stumpe, Taylor English Duma LLP About the Georgia Restaurant Association The GRAs mission is to serve as the voice for Georgias Restaurants in Advocacy, Education and Awareness. The GRA is sanctioned by the National Restaurant Association (NRA) to operate Georgias only notforprofit representing the states foodservice industry. From large chains to startups, the GRA helps make Georgia a better place for restaurants to do business and helps make restaurants better for Georgia. About the GRACE Awards The GRACE Awards is the Georgia Restaurant Associations annual blacktie gala event honoring Georgias Restaurant Industry. The GRACE awards are peernominated 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 HansGodo Frabel. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank, whose mission is to fight hunger by engaging, educating, and empowering the community. For more information, ticket reservations, and/or sponsorship opportunities, visit the website at www.garestaurants.org/GRACE. For media inquiries, please contact Rachel Mathews, Marketing and Communications Manager, at 404.467.9000 or rachel@garestaurants.org. ###