Amidst sequined gowns, sparkling ties and floating Coca-Cola bottles in a glittering Chicago Hilton ballroom, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation honored some of the industry’s finest at its annual Salute to Excellence banquet Saturday night.
New inductees into the NRAEF’s College of Diplomates were Bert Cutino, COO of the Sardine Factory, Julie Flik, founder of Flik International Corp, which now belongs to the Compass Group, and Jon Luther, executive chairman of Dunkin’ Brands.
Retired hospitality prof, Don “Coach” Smith received the Michael E. Hurst Achievement Education Award and brought the room to its feet with his tribute to his wife of 59 years, Jackie.
Robert E. Rich Jr., chairman of Rich Products Corp. was named the 2009 Thad and Alice Eure Ambassadors of Hospitality.
“I expect to be called Ambassador, now,” Rich quipped.
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