Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray, ERay@FRLA.org, 850.224.2250 x255
Christina Johnson, Christina@On3PR.com, 850.391.5040

(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to present this week’s episode of Emeril’s Florida airing Sunday, January 25, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. EST on the Cooking Channel. In Sunday’s episode, “Waterfront Favorites,” celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse visits three of his beloved waterfront restaurants in the state. Emeril rounds out the episode cooking marinated crab claws.

“Restaurants are such an important part of our local communities here in Florida,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We encourage everyone to taste true Florida-fare at these unique dining destinations that are just a small sample of the many waterfront restaurants offered in the Sunshine State.”

Emeril’s first stop on the “Waterfront Favorites” episode is Ulele, located on the Hillsborough River in Tampa. Richard Gonzmart, of the Columbia Restaurant Group, created this unique restaurant in an old water works building. Ulele is inspired by Gonzmart’s interest in Florida’s rich Native American culture and tribal influences are shown in the cuisine, structure, and other nuances at the restaurant. Costing $8 million, Ulele was completely redone in the same style as the original structure down to the window fixtures which were replicated by a local artist. The cuisine is as local as possible and the restaurant serves strictly Florida beef though relationship Richard has with a 4^th generation Florida cattle rancher. Emeril sits down with Richard to get the story behind Ulele and tries some of their signature dishes.

Emeril then travels to Jacksonville Beach in Northeast Florida to Marker 32, which has been a favorite of locals and visitors since it opened in 1992. While it has a casual feel, Marker 32 is a fine-dining restaurant and has been recognized with numerous awards over the years. The philosophy of Owner and Executive Chef Ben Groshell is simple. He uses fresh, local seafood and makes everything from scratch. That formula has been a successful one and Chef Ben and his team have created long-standing relationships with local anglers and distributors to secure the freshest fish from the Atlantic and Gulf sides of the state. Emeril and Chef Ben sample some of the restaurant favorites including Herb-Grilled Trigger Fish; Cast Iron Seared Mangrove Snapper; and M32 Broiled Oysters.

On his third and final stop in the “Waterfront Favorites” episode, Emeril heads south to Miami Beach to Monty’s Sunset. As the name implies, the restaurant is known for its sunsets, but since Matthew and Tricia Johnson took over the establishment, it is now making a name for itself with its impeccable food. Monty’s Sunset boasts a spacious, newly renovated interior and a large outdoor terrace that includes a new 20-foot raw bar alongside a pool and cabana. The menu was also recently redone by former Top Chef alum,Josie Smith-Malave, who worked at Monty’s in 1996. Emeril meets poolside with Matthew and Tricia and tastes some of Monty’s Sunset’s latest offerings that include Stone Crab, Oysters and Peel-and-Eat Jumbo Shrimp; Whole Fried Yellowtail Snapper with Ponzu Sauce; Lobster BLT; and Key Lime Pie.

The show reruns on Monday, January 26 at 9:30 a.m. EST and Thursday, January 29 at 10:30 a.m. EST.  Please check local listings.

Emeril’s Florida Season Three is a 13-episode series highlighting the Sunshine State through the eyes of Emeril on-location with a focus on food, cooking, events and activities around the state. Throughout the third season, Emeril will be visiting Florida’s top restaurants and resorts. He will also prepare some of his favorite recipes which often will feature some of the best seafood Florida has to offer. The FRLA and VISIT FLORIDA sponsor the series. For additional information on the series, including links to previous episodes, please go to the Cooking Channel website here. For a preview of Sunday’s episode, click here.

Editor’s Note:
For photo and video requests of Emeril Lagasse with local chefs, and recipes of featured dishes, please contact Elizabeth Ray at ERay@FRLA.orgor 850.224.2250 x255, or Christina Johnson at Christina@On3PR.com or 850.391.5040.

# # #

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

(Jacksonville, FL) – The First Coast Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to host hospitality leaders at its Marketing & Operations Conference in Jacksonville. The event, designed to provide industry insight and inspire businesses to grow, is scheduled for February 18, 2015 at the Ramada Jacksonville/Baymeadows Hotel and Conference Center.

“This event gives employers and employees at every level of the hospitality industry an opportunity to learn from the best of the best,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “The knowledge to be gained at this Marketing & Operations Conference is truly priceless and will surely encourage businesses in Northeast Florida to build on their successes and recognize the challenges ahead. This is a must attend event.”

Kicking off the conference, Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Ken Lawson will highlight the benefits of public-private partnerships. Prior to his appointment as DBPR Secretary in 2011, Lawson served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida and Assistant Secretary of Enforcement for the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Drawing on 40 years of experience as both servant and leader, Don Fox, CEO of Firehouse of America, will offer insights during the general session on developing and leading a high performance organization. As CEO, he has been a catalyst for growth, leading the brand from 65 restaurants in 2003, to well over 700 restaurants today.

Then later in the afternoon, James McManemon, General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island will present “How Do We Go from Good to Great?” McManemon oversees all operations at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, one of the world’s top resorts according to readers of Travel + Leisure magazine and a resort routinely named to Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List.  McManemon is a 20-year veteran with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company.

Additional speakers include: Brenna Dacks, VISIT FLORIDA’s Regional Partnership Manager; Shelly Weir, AH&LA EI Vice President of Domestic Sales; Gil Langley, Amelia Island Tourism Development Council; Paul Astleford, Visit Jacksonville; Richard Goldman, St. Augustine,Ponte Vedra  & The Beaches  Visitors and Convention Bureau; Tiffany McDonald, CFM Media and William Richardson, Jr, U.S. Department of Labor.

WHAT:
First Coast Marketing & Operations Conference

WHEN:     
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
*Registration opens at 7:00 AM

KEYNOTE SPEECHES:
8:30 AM – DBPR Secretary Ken Lawson
12:00 PM – Don Fox: “Seven Keys for Building A High Performing Brand”
2:15 PM – James McManemon: “How Do We Go from Good to Great”

WHERE:
Ramada Jacksonville/Baymeadows Hotel and Conference Center
9150 Baymeadows Road
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 737-1700
*MEDIA INVITED TO ATTEND*

COST:
$45 per person: All Day Conference Ticket
$25 per person:  Keynote Lunch Ticket

To register for the event, click here. For additional information, please contact Olivia Hoblit at 904-206-5300 or email olivia@seasideameliainn.com. For media RSVP, please contact Elizabeth Ray, FRLA Communications Director at 850.224.2250 x255 or email at ERay@FRLA.org.

# # #

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.

Media Contacts:
Elizabeth Ray, ERay@FRLA.org, 850.224.2250 x255
Christina Johnson, Christina@On3PR.com, 850.391.5040

(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to present this week’s episode of Emeril’s Florida airing Sunday, February 1, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. EST on the Cooking Channel. In Sunday’s episode, “Orlando,” celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse visits three unique Central Florida restaurants including Capa in Orlando, and Scratch and East End Market in Winter Park.

“We are thrilled that Chef Lagasse continues to showcase Florida’s unique and exciting establishments that locals and tourists alike may visit,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “The stories behind the scenes, how these restaurants came about, their menus and the chefs preparing those menus are what really make the show a must-see series.”

Emeril travels to Orlando, one of the great visitor destinations in the world. He begins his visit at newly opened Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort with a stop at Capa their signature rooftop restaurant overlooking the Disney property. He’ll sample some of the Spanish influenced dishes with Chef Tim Dacey. Capa’s diverse offerings “range from freshly shucked oysters and Florida seafood to incredible small plates and expertly grilled cuts. An open kitchen and wood-burning grill allow you to get close to the action, while on the outdoor patio diners enjoy views of the nightly fireworks.”

Next, Emeril travels to Winter Park for a stop at Scratch restaurant. Scratch is a modern American tapas restaurant featuring craft beers and microbrews and small production wineries. It is a family owned and operated business specializing in fresh, locally procured ingredients prepare with both modern and traditional techniques. Friends Ashley Byrd, Michael Roller and Chef Dustin Haney opened Scratch in November 2013.

Then Emeril travels to East End Market a food hub in the city that serves as an incubator for farmers and food artisans who want to start or expand their businesses. Emeril will visit with a cheese storeowner, a craft coffee shop owner and a 7-seat Japanese eatery that’s one of the hardest places to get a reservation in the entire city. Emeril ends the episode preparing another of his Florida seafood favorites, Potato and Florida Lobster Croquette.

The show reruns on Monday, February 2 at 9:30 a.m. EST and Thursday, February 5 at 10:30 a.m. EST.  Please check local listings.

Emeril’s Florida Season Three is a 13-episode series highlighting the Sunshine State through the eyes of Emeril on-location with a focus on food, cooking, events and activities around the state. Throughout the third season, Emeril will be visiting Florida’s top restaurants and resorts. He will also prepare some of his favorite recipes which often will feature some of the best seafood Florida has to offer. The FRLA and VISIT FLORIDA sponsor the series. For additional information on the series, including links to previous episodes, please go to the Cooking Channel website here. For a preview of Sunday’s episode, click here.

Editor’s Note:
For photo and video requests of Emeril Lagasse with local chefs, and recipes of featured dishes, please contact Elizabeth Ray atERay@FRLA.orgor 850.224.2250 x255, or Christina Johnson at Christina@On3PR.com or 850.391.5040.

# # #

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks.

(St. Petersburg, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s (FRLA) Pinellas Chapter today announced the installation of new officers.  The installation took place on Monday, January 26, 2015 at The Birchwood.  The 2015 officers are:

2015 President
Eric Waltz, Sandpearl Resort

VP of Lodging
Clyde Smith, Bilmar Beach Resort

VP of Restaurants
Dan Rose, Longhorn Steakhouse

Treasurer
George Glover, Baystar Hotel Group

Secretary
Alex Auberry, Derby Lane

“As President of FRLA’s Pinellas Chapter I am looking forward to an outstanding year filled with record breaking hospitality numbers, more school-to-career training for students and community involvement. I am proud to say we represent some of the best in the business and we are thrilled to represent the FRLA and advocate for our industry here locally,” said Eric Waltz, General Manager of the Sandpearl Resort.

In addition to the officers, the Pinellas Chapter also swore in the following Board of Directors:

Terry Graber
Doubletree Redington Beach

Dan Shouvlin
Draught Haus

Stephen Cummings
Lowes Don Cesar Beach Resort

Chuck Wray
CJ Publishing Welcome Guide

Keith Overton
Tradewinds Island Resort

Troy Manthey
Yachtship

Barbara Readey
Renaissance Vinoy

Chuck Prather
The Birchwood

John Gilbertson
Hilton Carillon

Thomas Pfordresher
Busch Gardens

Hoyt Hamilton
Palm Pavilion

Deana Roady
Hyatt Regency, Clearwater Beach

Wendy Damsker
Best Western

George Hoch
Sunset Vista

Gregg Nicklaus
Sirata Beach Resort

Jeremy Runo
Daiquiri Shak Raw Bar & Grille

Doug Bebell
Mystic Fish

Daniel Saginario
HSN

Ian Larson
St. Petersburg Marriott

Matt Loder
Crabby Bill’s

Tony Satterfield
Alden Beach Resort

Steve Westphal
Parkshore Grill
The Hanger
Ten Beach Drive

For more information on the FRLA’s Pinellas Chapter, please contact Regional Director Dannette Lynch at dannette@frla.org. You may also visit http://frla.org/chapters/pinellas.

###

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

(Tallahassee, FL) The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is thrilled to congratulate the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) President and CEO Dawn Sweeney, who was named one of 2015’s “Most Powerful People in Food” by The Daily Meal. This marks the third year in a row Sweeney has earned a top spot on the list.

“Dawn is one of the restaurant industry’s greatest advocates, an innovative leader who works tirelessly to ensure more than one million establishments and industry employees across the nation are well represented,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “We are proud to work closely with Dawn to help protect and promote the industry. There is no doubt this recognition is well-deserved.”

The Daily Meal recognized Sweeney’s leadership in directing NRA’s key initiatives such as its Kids LiveWell nationwide children’s nutrition program; Conserve, the Association’s sustainability initiative; and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation ProStart program which runs in nearly 2,000 high schools across the country and provides culinary scholarships to thousands of future restaurant and foodservice leaders.

The list of the top 50 recipients is compiled by The Daily Meal editors with the criterion that these individuals substantially impact the quality and variety of the American diet or the way Americans think about it. Included in this year’s list are heads of national food processing and distribution companies and retail food outlets, agribusiness moguls, tech gurus and recognized restaurateurs.

As President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, Sweeney leads the primary business association for the restaurant industry. The National Restaurant Association represents multiple foodservice concepts, including quick service, fast casual, managed foodservice, casual and fine dining – along with manufacturers, suppliers and distributors – for an industry of one million restaurant and foodservice outlets and 14 million employees.

Sweeney also serves as the CEO of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, a philanthropic foundation dedicated to enhancing the industry’s service to the public. The Foundation’s major goal is to prepare students for rewarding careers in restaurant management and the culinary arts.

###

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go towww.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

(Ft. Lauderdale, FL) – The Broward Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is proud to support local high school students by awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships to further their hospitality education. In Broward County, there are 22 high schools with more than 6,500 students enrolled in school-to-career training programs provided by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Educational Foundation (FRLAEF).

“These students are the future of Florida’s hospitality industry and we feel it’s important to extend our efforts to ensure they receive opportunities to build the foundation for fantastic careers,” said Eduardo Fernandez, the President of the Broward Chapter and General Manager of the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale. “In 2015, we plan to continue encouraging students in our community to pursue their dreams and help give them the ability to do so.”

In 2014, FRLA’s Broward Chapter hosted its Excellence in Education Gala, awarding 18 students with scholarships and recognizing Vicky Edgcomb as Teacher of the Year. As an instructor at South Broward High School, Edgcomb leads students through industry-derived curriculum, the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP), which prepares students for roles in the hotel industry and beyond. Later in the year, Edgcomb identified a need for more student textbooks and FRLA’s Broward Chapter stepped up to provide the necessary materials for the program to continue. Additionally, the Broward Chapter hosted an internship fair for students across the county which gave them the opportunity to make connections with a dozen employers who help lead the industry. In total, the local chapter raised $35,000 for hospitality education.

“I love the hospitality field because it is such a growth area in this part of the country and it is the perfect field for students who want an exciting career that knows no boundaries,” said Edgcomb. “I would like to thank the FRLA for providing resources, phenomenal business partners and field trip opportunities for the students.  You will never know how important this is to their growth overall.”

This year, FRLA’s Broward Chapter will host its 6th Annual Excellence in Education Gala on Wednesday, April 8th, at the historic Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Florida, to once again honor teachers, schools and award scholarships to promising students pursuing hospitality careers.  The keynote speaker will be Broward Superintendent of Schools, Robert Runcie.  The local chapter recently announced scholarship opportunities for students graduating in 2015, who are eligible to receive awards at the event. For more information about available scholarships, please contact Broward Chapter Director, Anne Sallee at asallee@frla.org or FRLAEF Director Laura Rumer at lrumer@frla.org.

To learn more about FRLA’s Broward Chapter, please visithttp://frla.org/chapters/broward/welcome.

# # #

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go towww.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF) is proud to present the 2015 ProStart Culinary Team Competition. In its 15^th year, the high-stakes competition features students from Florida’s ProStart program, a career technical education program where high school students learn from an industry-derived curriculum that teaches culinary techniques and restaurant management skills.  More than 20,000 students from across Florida are enrolled in the program. The event is scheduled to take place Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando.

“This event gives hardworking hospitality students an opportunity to showcase their talents and highlight the lifelong skills they learned through the FRLAEF, which is the only organization in Florida designed to provide students with school-to-career hospitality training,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “These students are Florida’s next generation of hoteliers, restauranteurs and business leaders and it is incredibly rewarding to watch them succeed in their home state.”

Students will compete for more than $800,000 in scholarships. First-place teams from the management and culinary competitions will advance to the prestigious National ProStart Invitational in Anaheim, Calif., April 18-20, 2015.

During the event, ProStart students will demonstrate culinary techniques in a high-energy competition as they prepare a three-course meal in 60 minutes, using only two butane burners with no access to running water or electricity. Additionally, management teams will develop a business proposal for an original restaurant concept and present it to a panel of industry judges, who challenge them to address the issues restaurant managers face on a daily basis. Please see the below schedule for a full listing of events.

The media is invited to attend both days of competition, and the awards ceremony.There will be an opportunity to film the events and interview the participants and judges. Please contact FRLA Communications Director Elizabeth Ray at 850.224.2250 x255 or via email at ERay@frla.org to arrange. The complete list of winners will be posted on the FRLA website and distributed to media outlets following the awards ceremony.

WHAT:
The FRLA Educational Foundation’s ProStart Culinary Team Competition
400 Florida High School Students from 49 Schools Scheduled to Compete

WHEN:               
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM           Johnson & Wales University Culinary Competition
9:00 AM – 5:10 PM          Cracker Barrel Management Competition
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM        Keiser University Edible Centerpiece Competition
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM          Education & Business Expo

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2015
7:00 AM – 3:00 PM          Johnson & Wales University Culinary Competition
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM          Cracker Barrel Management Competition
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM          Education & Business Expo
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM        The Coca-Cola Company Waiters Relay Competition
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM           Salute to Excellence Awards at Rosen Plaza Hotel, Grand Ballroom

WHERE: 
Rosen Plaza Hotel
9700 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819

For more information about the FRLAEF program, list of participating high schools, and the 2-day event program, please contact Laura Rumer at 321.689.7192 or email her at LRumer@frla.org. You may also access the FRLA website at http://frla.org to learn about ProStart.

###

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray, ERay@FRLA.org, 850.224.2250 x255
Christina Johnson, Christina@On3PR.com, 850.391.5040

(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to present this week’s episode of Emeril’s Florida airing Sunday, February 8, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. EST on the Cooking Channel. In Sunday’s episode, “Out on the Town,” celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse travels to downtown area hotspots in Miami, St. Petersburg and West Palm Beach.

“As a part of Florida’s number one hospitality industry, restaurants are closely tied to travel and tourism in our state,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “As Emeril takes viewers on his journey to stunning Florida restaurants serving inventive and unique cuisine, we trust that our more than 38,000 eating and drinking establishments will continue to fuel the appeal of the Sunshine State to visitors.”

Emeril’s first stop in the “Out on the Town” episode is Meat Market, a glamorous take on the traditional steakhouse located in Miami’s South Beach. The restaurant offers high-quality cuts of meat, delectable seafood, and fresh produce all under the supervision of Executive Chef Sean Brasel, known for his use of local ingredients. Meat Market also features a crudo bar that serves fresh tiraditos in addition to a traditional bar celebrated for its handcrafted cocktails. Emeril talks with Chef Brasel about the restaurant and samples some of his favorite entrees including Foie Gras Torchon, Asian BBQ Lamb Ribs, and Buffalo Tenderloin Steak with Chili Espresso Rub.

Next, Emeril travels to downtown St. Petersburg for a stop at The Birchwood Inn. The restaurant at The Birchwood is Birch & Vine, an award winning farm-to-table concept on the bottom floor of the 1924 building, with The Canopy Rooftop Loungeresting in the heart of St. Petersburg’s waterfront, complete with private cabanas, fire pits, living room seating and high top tables. A St. Petersburg native, Executive Chef Jason Cline heads up the culinary program and has created a globally inspired menu using locally grown organic ingredients. Chef Cline sits down with Emeril to taste some of the establishment’s signature dishes.

Hullabaloo, a unique restaurant that calls itself an “Italian Gastropub,” is Emeril’s third stop thisepisode. Hullabaloo is located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach in the center of a busy dining and entertainment district.  The establishment serves innovative, farm-to-table cuisine that pairs perfectly with their signature craft cocktails and extensive beer and wine selections featuring unique vineyards and microbreweries. Hullabaloo boasts an urban setting with the sounds of 1940’s music during the evening, and Indie Rock late at night. Emeril meets with Executive Chef and General Manager Fritz Cassel to discuss his restaurant concept and try a few of his popular menu items including Braised Pork Shoulder with a Porcini Mushroom Risotto and Thin Crust Pizza with Spec Ham, Gouda Cream Sauce, Goat Cheese and Arugula.

The show reruns on Monday, February 9 at 9:30 a.m. EST and Thursday, February 12 at 10:30 a.m. EST.  Please check local listings.

Emeril’s Florida Season Three is a 13-episode series highlighting the Sunshine State through the eyes of Emeril on-location with a focus on food, cooking, events and activities around the state. Throughout the third season, Emeril will be visiting Florida’s top restaurants and resorts. He will also prepare some of his favorite recipes which often will feature some of the best seafood Florida has to offer. The FRLA and VISIT FLORIDA sponsor the series. For additional information on the series, including links to previous episodes, please go to the Cooking Channel website here. For a preview of Sunday’s episode, click here.

Editor’s Note:
For photo and video requests of Emeril Lagasse with local chefs, and recipes of featured dishes, please contact Elizabeth Ray at ERay@FRLA.orgor 850.224.2250 x255, or Christina Johnson at Christina@On3PR.com or 850.391.5040.

# # #

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org
Regulatory Compliance Services (RCS), a subsidiary of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to present its 2015 Spring Break Hospitality Workshop to promote a safe and successful spring break season. This free responsible vendor training session will bring together businesses, community leaders and law enforcement to promote alcohol sales best practices, raise staff awareness, and advise the local hospitality industry on recent changes to the local law. The event will be held Tuesday, February 24, 2015 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at the Boardwalk Beach Resort in Panama City Beach.

“In preparation for spring break, we are pleased to work closely with our local hospitality community and raise awareness of recent local ordinance changes that will cultivate a more safe and enjoyable environment for our businesses and spring breakers alike,” said Panama City Beach Mayor Gayle Oberst.

Mayor Oberst is slated to speak at the event alongside Panama City Beach City Manager Mario Gisbert and Panama City Beach Police Chief Drew R. Whitman. They will be actively involved in discussion during the workshop, which will include training presented by RCS in coordination with Florida’s Division of Alcohol Beverages and Tobacco.

“As Florida’s premier provider of responsible alcohol vendor training, we are passionate about server and seller alcohol education.  We are thrilled to partner with Panama City Beach government and business leaders to actively support a safe and memorable spring break season,” said FRLA Vice President of Education and Training, Geoff Luebkemann.

Responsible vendor training is a program offered to bar and restaurant staff.  Instructors present state-mandated content that encourages best management practices and patron safety.  Participants learn about alcohol laws, avoiding serving underage patrons, and preventing over-serving patrons. The training contributes to fewer underage alcohol sales, reduced DUIs, and increased professionalism and knowledge among those selling and serving alcohol to patrons.  Alcohol beverage licensees who successfully qualify and remain responsible vendors enjoy certain protections under the law for their license, and may reduce their risk liability exposure and costs.

The media is invited to attend the workshop and if planning to be present will need to contact FRLA Communications Director Elizabeth Ray at 850.224.2250 x255 or via email at ERay@frla.org.

WHAT:
2015 Spring Break Hospitality Workshop
Includes FRLA’s RCS FREE Responsible Vendor Training

WHEN:               
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
2:00 – 4:00 PM

WHERE: 
Boardwalk Beach Resort
9450 South Thomas Drive
Panama City Beach, FL 32408

Businesses looking to participate in the event should contact RCS Northwest Regional Manager, Caitie Mook at 850-933-3762 or cmook@frla.org. For more information about RCS please visit http://www.regcomplianceusa.com/.

About the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
FRLA is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Our mission is to ‘Protect, Educate and Promote’ Florida’s $76.1 billion hospitality industry which represents 23% of Florida’s economy, $4.6 billion in sales tax revenue, and nearly 1.1 million employees – making it the state’s number one industry. We offer regulatory compliance and food safety training needs (RCS and SafeStaff®); industry developed career-building high school programs (FRLAEF); sponsor the only event in Florida exclusively serving the restaurant and foodservice industry (FR&L Show, October 6-8, 2015 in Orlando); and we safeguard the needs of the hospitality industry by providing legislative advocacy. We represent and serve more than 10,000 independent and household name members, suppliers, and theme parks. For more information, go to www.FRLA.org and find us on Twitter @FRLAnews, Facebook and YouTube.