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 15, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. EST on the Cooking Channel. In Sunday’s episode, celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse travels to the Southwest Gulf Coast of Florida to explore three restaurants in the beachfront city of Naples.

“Here in Florida, we are blissfully spoiled by the quality of restaurants and food that our state has to offer, and the dining establishments featured in this episode of Emeril’s Florida are no exception,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “FRLA is thrilled that Emeril continues to feature cutting-edge dishes and talented chefs that routinely satisfy the culinary desires of Floridians and our visitors.”

Emeril’s first stop is Osteria Tulia, one of the hottest restaurants in the growing Naples dining scene.  Osteria Tulia is an Italian restaurant owned by Chef Vincenzo Betulia. The menu and décor of the restaurant are inspired by Chef Betulia’s childhood and the centuries-old tradition of Italian osterias, informal village taverns serving homemade specialties and regional wines. The pastas, sauces and desserts are house-made by Chef Betulia and his culinary team of 30, which includes his mother, father, wife, cousin and Osteria Tulia’s chef di cucina.  The restaurant boasts many awards including a Golden Spoon Award by Florida Trend magazine and two Naples Illustrated Dining Readers’ Choice Awards for Best New Chef and Best Restaurant. Chef Betulia and Emeril sit down to talk about the restaurant and sample some of Osteria Tulia’s signature dishes.

The second stop for Emeril is Mereday’s Fine Dining, a waterfront restaurant in Naples serving contemporary cuisine made with the freshest seasonal ingredients available. Chef Charles Mereday owns the restaurant, and he has helped put Naples on the culinary map. In 2013, the restaurant was mentioned in Conde Nast Traveler as one of the top dining destinations in Naples, considered one of America’s Top 20 Destinations for Foodies. Mereday’s Fine Dining has an elegant dining space flooded with light from floor-to-ceiling windows that face water on both sides. Diners choose from a two, three or four-course dinner menu with a complimentary dessert, or from an a la carte bar menu, both which change daily. Emeril talks with Chef Mereday about the dining scene in Naples while he prepares some of his favorite dishes for Emeril to try.

The final location Emeril visits in Naples is Pinchers Crab Shack.  Owner Tony Phelan is originally from Texas, but following the oil bust in the late 1980s, Tony brought his family to Florida.  The concept for his restaurant started out simply, with only sixtables and 12 employees. Tony decorated the small restaurant with décor you might find in a seafood shack on the Gulf Coast, cooked the freshest seafood, and served it in a fun, down-to-earth atmosphere. The concept was a hit! Today, Tony and his family own ten Pinchers locations and plan to open several more.  Tony and Emeril share stories about the restaurant business and taste some of the items offered on the Pinchers’ menu.

The show reruns on Monday, February 16 at 9:30 a.m. EST and Thursday, February 19 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, photos of recipes, 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.

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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.

Contact:

Elizabeth Ray
FRLA Communications Director
850.224.2250 x255
ERay@FRLA.org

(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is proud to support House Bill 739 filed by Representative Shawn Harrison (R-Tampa) and Senate Bill 900 filed by Senator Joseph Abruzzo (D-Wellington) that will spur the growth of Florida’s hospitality and tourism industry. This legislation will spark private capital investment, revitalize our industry’s assets, create jobs and encourage significant long-term economic revitalization to the state. Despite representing the state’s #1 industry, hospitality and tourism has historically been excluded from harnessing Florida’s tax incentives. The bill will provide a balanced approach that allows restaurateurs and hoteliers to renovate their properties, thereby improving the surrounding communities and drawing more visitors in the process.

“Here in Florida, the hospitality and tourism industry represents 23% of the state’s economy and it is imperative we continue to spark development that will allow the industry to thrive. By incentivizing capital improvements for one of the state’s biggest revenue generators we can help continue to ensure families across Florida succeed and our tourism industry continues to thrive,” said Harrison.

“We want Florida to remain a world-class destination by giving restaurants and hotels greater opportunities to invest in their properties that employ more than one million Floridians,” said Abruzzo. “Many of these businesses, especially restaurants, are small ‘Mom and Pop’ family-run operations that don’t have the deep pockets or resources to improve or expand. Senate Bill 900 will help reduce some of the barriers these owners face, clearing the way for our small businesses and neighborhoods to flourish.”

“On behalf of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, we thank Representative Harrison and Senator Abruzzo for crafting a bill that will help keep the hospitality and tourism industry on pace for another record year. This legislation will help assure that Florida will continue to provide memorable experiences for the millions of visitors that expect outstanding accommodations and who in turn help boost the state’s economy by generating tax revenue,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

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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.

TAMPA, Fla. – Governor Rick Scott today announced that according to preliminary estimates released by VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s official tourism marketing corporation, 97.3 million visitors came to Florida in 2014, an increase of 3.9 percent over 2013. This is the fourth consecutive record year for visitation to Florida, exceeding the previous high of 93.7 million in 2013. The number of direct travel-related jobs in 2014 was also a record high, with 1,135,700 Floridians employed in the tourism industry, up 3.6 percent from 2013.

Governor Scott said, “We are excited to announce that Florida welcomed more than 97 million visitors in 2014 marking the fourth consecutive record year for tourism in the Sunshine State. Not only are visitors coming to our state at record levels, but there are also a record number of Floridians employed in our tourism industry.  Florida’s natural beauty, pristine beaches and exciting attractions continue to bring countless visitors to our state and provide valuable jobs for our families.  Our tourism industry is vital to helping Florida become the global destination for  jobs, and this year we are proposing in our ‘KEEP FLORIDA WORKING’ budget an additional $17.5 million so VISIT FLORIDA can market our state and continue our unprecedented growth in visitors.”

VISIT FLORIDA estimates that 11.5 million overseas visitors and 3.8 million Canadians came to Florida in 2014, both of which are record highs and represent 2.6 percent and 2.4 percent increases over 2013 respectively. Estimates reflect a 4.2 percent increase in domestic visitors to Florida in 2014 and show that Floridians took a record total of 20.2 million in-state pleasure trips.  

For fourth quarter 2014, preliminary estimates show a record 22.4 million people visited the Sunshine State. This represents the largest fourth quarter visitation number Florida has ever seen and reflects an increase of 2.8 percent over the same period in 2013.  VISIT FLORIDA also reports that an estimated 3.1 million overseas visitors traveled to Florida in the fourth quarter of 2014, an increase of 0.5 percent, and 765,000 Canadians traveled to Florida, reflecting an increase of 5.6 percent over the same period in 2013.  

“In 2014, a record 97.3 million tourists visited the state of Florida, an increase of 3.6 million people.  That means there were nearly 4 percent more visitors spending money in Florida last year,” said Andrew Hertz, Chair of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors.  “Anyone would be happy to see their business grow by 4 percent year-over-year.  But it is absolutely amazing when an entire industry keeps beating record numbers, while adding jobs and supporting the rest of the state’s economy.”

Tourism and recreation taxable sales for Florida increased every month year-over-year from January through November 2014 (last reported month), representing a 7.7 percent increase over the same period in 2013.  For 2014, the average daily room rate (ADR) rose 5.7 percent and the number of rooms sold grew by 5.3 percent compared to 2013. Florida’s average occupancy rate for 2014 was 69.7 percent, an increase of 4.4 percent over 2013.  This represents a record year for the statewide calendar year occupancy rate, exceeding the previous high of 69.0 percent in 2005. ADR, occupancy and rooms sold all increased every month year-over-year in 2014. 

“Thanks to the visionary leadership of Governor Rick Scott and the Florida legislature, the Florida tourism industry has grown from 82.3 million visitors in 2010 to 97.3 million in 2014,” said Will Seccombe, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA.  “With all indicators up – taxable sales, ADR, occupancy and rooms sold – the industry is firing on all cylinders.” 

John Tomlin, Vice Chair of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer for The Auto Club Group, said, “Achieving record visitation for four consecutive years is a testament to the strong marketing partnership between VISIT FLORIDA and our tourism industry Partners.  With continued support from Governor Scott and the Florida legislature, the Sunshine State is poised to become the No. 1 travel destination in the world.” 

Carol Dover, Member of the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors and President & CEO of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, said, “These record breaking numbers make it clear, Florida is moving in the right direction as a world-class destination. With Governor Scott’s increased support for VISIT FLORIDA, the hospitality and tourism industry can continue to provide incredible experiences for millions of visitors, create jobs and generate revenue to put back in the pockets of Florida families. This year, we look forward to repeating the trend of growth and we are thrilled so many visitors are taking advantage of our unique restaurants, hotels and attractions in the Sunshine State.”

Bill Lupfer, Chair of the VISIT FLORIDA Public Affairs Committee and President & CEO of the Florida Attractions Association, said, “Tourism is the number-one driver of the state’s economy, and we are proud of the Sunshine State’s four consecutive years of record visitor turnout.  This means greater revenues for the state, and more than one million Florida jobs supported by tourism.  We applaud Governor Rick Scott and the Legislative leadership’s support of Florida’s thriving tourism industry and look forward to even greater growth in 2015.” 

Lino Maldonado, Chair of the VISIT FLORIDA Industry Relations Committee and Vice President of Operations for ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals said, “Yet another record year for Florida tourism due in large part to the support of our Governor and pro-tourism legislature.  My team is very proud to work in an industry that not only employs so many across our beautiful state, but that produces lasting memories for visitors from around the world.”

To view additional Florida visitor data, go the research page on VISIT FLORIDA’s website.

Preliminary estimates are issued 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter. Final estimates are released when final data are received for all estimates in the report. – See more at: http://frla.org/frla-news/item/1506-gov-scott-more-than-97-million-tourists-in-2014#sthash.FtrerL63.dpuf

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 22, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. EST on the Cooking Channel. In Sunday’s episode, celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse focuses on the farm-to-table movement in Florida, which refers to producing food locally and delivering that food to consumers.

“With Florida’s ability to grow fruits and vegetables and raise livestock year round, the farm-to-table movement gives restaurants and their patrons the opportunity to celebrate our agricultural industry that supports nearly one million jobs,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “FRLA is excited that the farm-to-table movement is expanding, and looks forward to the continued momentum of establishments, such as the ones featured in this week’s episode of Emeril’s Florida.”

Emeril’s first stop on the farm-to-table episode takes himto The Floridian restaurant in downtown St. Augustine.  Jeff and Genie McNally are young restaurateurs. Genie is the chef and Jeff runs the front of the house. A primary focus since they opened the restaurant has been to be as farm-to-table as possible. Genie has a farming background and ran a farmers market prior to opening the restaurant. Her farming background ensures that the couple personally knows every purveyor and producer that they use – about 10 separate sources making up approximately 85%of their usable materials. The cuisine at the restaurant is based on availability and seasonality, and due to Genie’s gluten intolerance, all but a few select items are naturally gluten free. Both sat down with Emeril to talk about the restaurant and sample a few of Genie’s signature dishes including Pickled Pepper Shrimp, Cornbread and Blackberry Bruschetta, and Posole Floridian.

Next, Emeril heads to 13 American Table in Boca Raton. A true American establishment, the restaurant’s name is a salute to the 13 stripes on the American flag. Anthony Fiorini, who grew up in Boca Raton, is Executive Chef and known for his dishes made with high-quality ingredients prepared in a simple, but exquisite form. He is one of only 65 owners of the Josper oven in the United States and uses the dual oven-grill to cook many of the restaurant’s signature dishes. Emeril discusses the menu with Chef Fiorini and tastes a few specialties including Josper Grilled Octopus with Chickpea Salad, BBQ Pork Belly Tacos, Whole Hogfish, and Bone-in Ribeye with Fingerling Smashed Potatoes.
Emeril’s final stop takes him to Miami, right next to Miami International Airport, to visit an urban farm called G.R.O.W, Green Railroad Organic Workshop. The founder and owner Thi (Tee) Squire had a vision to turn the empty lot behind her warehouse office into a blossoming garden that could produce herbs and greens for local residents and restaurants. She and her business partner Charlie Coiner have been very successful in creating an environment for growth, and have been able to distribute their produce statewide. Thi leads the operation while also incorporating the community via student fieldtrips and learning experiences two to three times per month. G.R.O.W. aims to educate people that growing food can be done anywhere, even in urban settings. Emeril tours the farm with Thi and meets with some students who visited while he was there.

The show reruns on Monday, February 23 at 9:30 a.m. EST and Thursday, February 26 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 the G.R.O.W program director, photos of dishes prepared, 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.

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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 Partnership for Florida Tourism is proud to present Florida Tourism Day on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 in Tallahassee. The event is designed to educate the legislature, media and Floridians on the significant role tourism plays in the success of our state’s economy. According to preliminary estimates, 97.3 million visitors came to Florida in 2014. This is the fourth consecutive record year for visitation to Florida, exceeding the previous high of 93.7 million in 2013.  The number of direct travel-related jobs in 2014 was also a record high, with more than 1.3 million Floridians employed in the tourism industry, up 3.6 percent from 2013.

Ten statewide organizations are scheduled to participate in the event and will host a downtown nighttime celebration that is open to the public. The street party will be held on Adams Street between College and Jefferson Streets where musical group The Free Wheelin’ Band will perform live beginning at 5:00 PM. Food vendors and downtown restaurants will provide refreshments for purchase. Last year, Florida Tourism Day drew more than 400 industry attendees, representing 44 Florida counties, who met with legislators and government leaders.

Participating organizations include: VISIT FLORIDA, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Florida Attractions Association, Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, Florida Association of Destination Management Organizations, Florida Association of Museums, Film Florida, the Florida Sports Foundation, Florida Cattleman’s Association and the Florida Department of Agriculture.

“It is truly incredible to see so many great leaders rally together here in Tallahassee to safeguard the needs and celebrate the achievements of industry which represents 23% of our state’s economy. As an industry, we are the state’s largest job creator and it is critical that we continue to work together alongside Governor Rick Scott and our state legislators to ensure visitors keep coming back for a fantastic hospitality experience that is exclusively offered here in Florida,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

“2014 marked the fourth consecutive record year for Florida tourism. Given that we have the best tourism product on the planet, visionary public sector leadership from Governor Scott and the Florida Legislature, more than 1.1 million Floridians who provide exceptional service to our visitors every day, and highly impactful marketing programs from VISIT FLORIDA and our destination marketing partners across the state, Florida is well-positioned to become the No. 1 travel destination in the world,” said Will Seccombe, President and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA.

“Florida’s finest family attractions are excited to join with our industry partners to celebrate Florida’s unique position and reputation as the world’s preeminent tourism destination. With over one million Sunshine State residents employed in Florida tourism jobs, and over four years of unprecedented growth in visitor numbers, we look forward to an even brighter future for our industry,” said Bill Lupfer, President & CEO of the Florida Attractions Association.

“The Florida RV Park and Campground Industry is proud to be a partner in the 2015 Florida Tourism Day event. It’s important that all of us in the industry come together to recognize and celebrate the positive impact tourism has on Florida’s economy. Thanks to VISIT FLORIDA, The Partnership for Florida’s Tourism, and the support of Governor Rick Scott and our state legislators, Florida is well on the way to becoming the #1 travel destination in the world,” said Bobby Cornwell, President/CEO of the Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds.

“Tourism marketing through VISIT FLORIDA and our county tourism promotion agencies is critical to maintaining Florida’s market share within the competitive market for tourists. Florida must continue to fund VISIT FLORIDA’s marketing efforts as well as protect the current uses of the Tourist Development Tax to continue attracting more visitors and creating good jobs for Floridians,” said Robert Skrob, Executive Director, Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations.

“The Florida Association of Museums is honored to be a partner in Tourism Day again this year and we look forward to building on the tremendous success of last year, with increased visitors and revenues for our great state,” said Malinda Horton, Executive Director of the Florida Association of Museums. 

“It is well known that film, television and digital media are key components to promoting tourism in Florida.  A recent survey conducted by VISIT FLORIDA showed 22.7% of domestic visitors to the state indicated viewing a movie or television series filmed in Florida contributed to their decision to travel here. We believe diversity in our state’s marketing efforts generates increased tourism, enhanced ROI numbers and positive economic development benefits,” said Michelle Hillery, President of Film Florida.

“A recent economic impact survey showed a $43 billion benefit to the state and a $5.6 return on investment for every dollar spent, which indicates the sports industry continues to prove itself as a viable economic driver for Florida. As strong contributors to the industry, we are looking forward to participating in this year’s Florida Tourism Day to highlight many of our great events that are sure to attract millions of visitors to the state,” said John Webb, President of the Florida Sports Foundation.

For media inquiries, please contact Elizabeth Ray at 850.224.2250 ext. 255 or via email at ERay@frla.org. For the complete schedule of events on Florida Tourism Day, please click here.

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The Partnership for Florida’s Tourism is a grassroots coalition which began in 2006 designed to raise awareness of the importance of tourism and to increase public funding of tourism marketing.  Key stakeholders in the tourism industry have joined in this effort. The Partnership is comprised of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Florida Attractions Association, Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, Florida Association of Destination Management Organizations and VISIT FLORIDA.

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

(TALLAHASSEE, FL)—The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF) announced the winners of the 15th Annual ProStart Culinary Team Competition which was held Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28, 2015 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando.

A total of 49 schools participated in the competition with 16 schools winning top awards throughout the day’s events. More than $800,000 in scholarships was distributed to the winning schools. All winners and participants are a part of Florida’s ProStart program which is 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 the state are enrolled in the program. The four main event competitions included: the Cracker Barrel Management Competition, the Johnson & Wales University Culinary Competition, the Keiser University Edible Centerpiece Competition, and the Coca-Cola Company Waiters Relay Competition.

Tarpon Springs High School won first place in the overall competition. Eastside High School in Gainesville took home second place in the overall competition, with Leto High School in Tampa placing third.  For photos of the event, please click here.

“We wish heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners and participants in this year’s competition. We were truly impressed with the incredible caliber of talent, which included young hospitality industry all-stars from across our great state. FRLAEF is the only organization in Florida that offers the ProStart program and we are proud to help bolster the quality and employability of today’s high school graduates by providing them with school-to-career training. We look forward to their successes and are thrilled to provide them more opportunities for foodservice and lodging careers, and higher education,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Overall Competition Winners

First Place
Tarpon Springs High School
Instructor: Cathleen Ryan

Second Place
Eastside High School
Instructor: Billie DeNunzio

Third Place
Leto High School
Instructor: Debra Hladky

Fourth Place *tie*
J.P. Taravella High School
Instructor: Scott Goodman

East Ridge High School
Instructors: Lucressie McGriff and Ken Pitts

Fifth Place
Seabreeze High School
Instructor: Samantha Crouch

Johnson & Wales University Culinary Competition
Participating teams demonstrated their creative abilities during the competition through the preparation of a meal consisting of: starter (such as soup, salad or appetizer), protein (such as meat, fish or fowl), starch, vegetable, and dessert.

First Place
Leto High School
Instructor: Debra Hladky

Second Place
West Boca Raton High School
Instructor: Nancy Hall

Third Place
Eastside High School
Instructor: Billie DeNunzio

Fourth Place
Nassau County Career Ed
Instructor: Bill Castleberry

Fifth Place
Tarpon Springs High School
Instructor: Cathleen Ryan

Cracker Barrel Management Competition
Participating teams demonstrated their knowledge of the restaurant and foodservice industry by developing a business proposal for a new restaurant concept. The business proposal consisted of a defined restaurant concept, supporting menu, and supporting marketing plan. Teams prepared a comprehensive written proposal, verbal presentation and visual display.

First Place
Eastside High School
Instructor: Billie DeNunzio

Second Place *tie*
J.P. Taravella High School
Instructor: Scott Goodman

East Ridge High School
Instructors: Lucressie McGriff and Ken Pitts

Third Place
Tarpon Springs High School
Instructor: Cathleen Ryan

Fourth Place*tie*
Estero High School
Instructor: Jan Doten

South Lake High School
Instructors: John Thunberg and Candace Huxhold

Fifth Place
John A. Ferguson School
Instructor: Janett Toledo

Keiser University Edible Centerpiece Competition
Participating teams demonstrated their creative ability during the competition through the preparation of an edible centerpiece consisting of fruits and vegetables. Contestants explained nutritional information, product availability, and preparation techniques.

First Place
Tarpon Springs High School
Instructor: Cathleen Ryan

Second Place *tie*
Steinbrenner High School
Instructor: Philip Meola

Jefferson High School
Instructor: David Hillard

Third Place
Columbia High School
Instructor: Cheryl Bender

Fourth Place
Bayside High School
Instructor: Stuart Gray

Fifth Place
Northeast High School
Instructor: John Beck

Coca-Cola Company Waiters Relay Competition
Participating teams demonstrated their ability to duplicate a table setting while racing against the clock.

First Place
Seabreeeze High School
Instructor: Samantha Crouch

Second Place
North Port High School
Instructors: Witold Bielak and Becky Halbert

Third Place
Cypress Creek High School
Instructor: Cynda Aron

Fourth Place
Winter Springs High School
Instructors: Adam Efland and Elizabeth Leh

Fifth Place
Tarpon Springs High School
Instructor: Cathleen Ryan

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About FRLA Educational Foundation (FRLAEF)

The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association created the Educational Foundation in 1994. FRLAEF administers and executes two high school curriculums ‐ the National Restaurants Association’s (NRA) ProStart and the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AH&LA) Lodging Management Program – in more than 240 Florida high schools and provides resources to nearly 25,000 students in these culinary arts and hospitality management programs. Scholarships, Teacher Training Institutes, Industry Certifications, Equipment Mini‐Grants and Industry Internships are just a few of the products and services the FRLAEF provides to these classrooms. For more information, please go to www.FRLA.org.

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

(Tallahassee, Fla.) – Tourism and hospitality leaders of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association today came out strongly against late filed legislation to allow the expansion of gambling in the Sunshine State.  House Bill 1233 by Rep. Dana Young (R-Tampa), filed on the eve of Florida’s Legislative Session, seeks to provide licenses for destination resorts under a new Department of Gaming Control.

“We will continue to fight this legislation, along with any other measure that seeks to expand gambling under the false pretense that it will bring additional jobs, attract more tourists, and increase Florida’s tax base,” said FRLA President and CEO Carol Dover. “Florida currently enjoys record number of tourists, and provides a strong ROI on tourism and hospitality dollars. We are confident legislators won’t be fooled by casino operators’ false arguments.”

“Florida’s tourism industry is predicated on pristine beaches, family-friendly attractions, and world-class and unique hotels and restaurants,” said 2015 FRLA President Andrew Reiss. “To believe for one moment that our state needs to establish so called destination resorts as an economic development measure, when other states have seen firsthand the harm done to local economies, is a cautionary tale that Floridians would be wise to adhere,” concluded Reiss, owner of Tallahassee-based Andrew’s Capital Grill & Bar and Andrew’s 228.

In a February 2015 Miami Herald opinion editorial, Collapse of Atlantic City casinos a cautionary tale for Miami, former CEO of the Beacon Council Frank Nero stated, “What we see in Atlantic City is the full life cycle of the impact of casinos on a local economy. We see the casinos cannibalizing local restaurants and retail establishments until they are out of business. We see billions of dollars flowing to out-of-state casino companies with a pittance remaining in the local economy. We see efforts to diversify local economies thwarted.”

A January 2015 Associated Press story, Atlantic City mayor predicts 2015 will be ‘a year of healing’ but expects another casino to close, reports the following scenario, “The loss of four casinos blew an unexpected hole in the city’s finances — which were atrocious to begin with. Six years ago, Atlantic City’s taxable property was worth $20 billion; that figure is now $11.2 billion, and [Atlantic City Mayor Don] Guardian expects it to shrink to about $7 billion before long. Steep spending cuts and layoffs that were already planned suddenly had to get even more drastic. Taxes went up 22 percent in his first year. Guardian planned to cut city spending by $40 million over the next four years; he now plans to cut that much in three years. Layoffs will include police officers and firefighters, and an entire department of city government could be eliminated.”

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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 more than one 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
850.224.2250 x255
Day of Event: 813.469.3311

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Partnership for Florida Tourism is proud to present Florida Tourism Day on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 in Tallahassee. The event is designed to educate the legislature, media and Floridians on the significant role tourism plays in the success of our state’s economy. According to preliminary estimates, 97.3 million visitors came to Florida in 2014. This is the fourth consecutive record year for visitation to Florida, exceeding the previous high of 93.7 million in 2013. Ten statewide associations are participating in the effort and will be hosting a downtown celebration that evening.

Media interested in attending Florida Tourism Day are asked to contact Elizabeth Ray at 850.224.2250 x255 or via email at eray@FRLA.org prior to the event, and at813.469.3311 on the day of the event.

WHAT:         
2015 Florida Tourism Day

WHEN/WHERE:
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / CEO Briefings, Speakers
Turnbull Conference Center
555 W. Pensacola Street, Tallahassee
Media invited to attend.

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. – Street Festival
Downtown Tallahassee, corner of Adams Street and Jefferson Street
Media invited to attend. Welcome Remarks at 5:30 p.m.

CEO BRIEFING/SPEAKERS:
Florida Lieutenant Governor Carlos Lopez-Cantera
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi
Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Ken Lawson
State Representative Ritch Workman (R – Melbourne)

TOURISM DAY PARTICIPANTS:
Carol Dover, President/CEO, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
Will Seccombe, President/CEO, VISIT FLORIDA
Bill Lupfer, President/CEO, Florida Attractions Association
Robert Skrob, Executive Director, Florida Association of Destination Marketing Organizations
Bobby Cornwell, Executive Director, Florida Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds
John Webb, President, Florida Sports Foundation
Malinda Horton, Executive Director, Florida Association of Museums
Michelle Hillery, President, Film Florida
Henry Kempfer, President, Florida Cattlemen’s Association

For more information, please visit http://tourismworksforflorida.org/florida-tourism-day/.

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The Partnership for Florida’s Tourism is a grassroots coalition which began in 2006 designed to raise awareness of the importance of tourism and to increase public funding of tourism marketing.  Key stakeholders in the tourism industry have joined in this effort. The Partnership is comprised of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Florida Attractions Association, Florida Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, Florida Association of Destination Management Organizations and VISIT FLORIDA. – See more at: http://frla.org/frla-news/item/1518-florida-tourism-to-be-celebrated-on-wednesday-march-11-2015#sthash.CqkIrDh9.dpuf

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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. —The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Educational Foundation (FRLAEF) announced the winners of the 12^th Annual Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP) Competition which was held Sunday, March 1 and Monday, March 2, 2015 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando.

Thirty-two students from across the state participated in the day’s events and won more than $30,000 in scholarships. All winners and participants are a part of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP) which was developed by industry experts and is the official industry-recognized curriculum to prepare students for roles in the hotel industry and beyond. The program is delivered with graphic-rich textbooks and workbooks, and incorporates the best of modern technology with a selection of online coursework. This year, there were three different competitive categories: Hotel Operations, Hospitality Project and the Knowledge Bowl.

Miami Beach Senior High School won first place in the overall competition. Mid Florida Technical in Orlando took home second place in the overall competition, with Gainesville High School placing third.

“The competition was fierce, but these students showed they were up for a challenge. Congratulations to all of our winners and participants who are passionate about the hospitality industry. We look forward to their continued success as they move forward with careers and educational opportunities. They are the future of Florida and we are thrilled to help train them as HTMP students right here in the Sunshine State,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

Overall Competition Winners

First Place
Miami Beach Senior High School
Instructor: Patricia Gregory

Second Place
Mid Florida Technical
Instructor: Pat Novalis

Third Place
Gainesville High School
Instructor: Dawn Bekaert 

Hotel Operations Competition Winners
Students competing in the hotel operations competition performed a night audit, analyzed three case studies, and performed a room inspection.

First Place
Mid Florida Technical
Instructor: Pat Novalis

Second Place
Colonial High School
Instructor: Richard Grace

Third Place
Oakridge High School
Instructor: Joanne Goodman

Hospitality Project Competition Winners
Students participating in the hospitality project competition demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities required in planning an event, which included a proposal to the client, BEO (Banquet Event Order), menu and floor plan.

First Place
Miami Beach Senior High School
Instructor: Patricia Gregory

Second Place
Colonial High School
Instructor: Richard Grace

Third Place
Miami Sunset High School
Instructor: Milagros Perez

Knowledge Bowl Competition Winners
Students participating in the knowledge bowl competition, participated in a “Jeopardy style” question and answer session.

First Place
Miami Beach Senior High School
Instructor: Patricia Gregory

Second Place
Gainesville High School
Instructor: Dawn Bekaert

Third Place
Miami Sunset High School
Instructor: Milagros Perez

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About FRLA Educational Foundation (FRLAEF)

The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association created the Educational Foundation in 1994. FRLAEF administers and executes two high school curriculums ‐ the National Restaurants Association’s (NRA) ProStart and the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AH&LA) Lodging Management Program – in more than 240 Florida high schools and provides resources to nearly 25,000 students in these culinary arts and hospitality management programs. Scholarships, Teacher Training Institutes, Industry Certifications, Equipment Mini‐Grants and Industry Internships are just a few of the products and services the FRLAEF provides to these classrooms. For more information, please go to www.FRLA.org. – See more at: http://frla.org/frla-news/item/1519-frlaef-announces-winners-of-hospitality-and-tourism-management-program-competition#sthash.0SACQtu9.dpuf

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, March 15, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. EST on the Cooking Channel. In Sunday’s episode, celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse travels to Orlando’s next-door neighbor, Kissimmee to tour three top-rated restaurants in the area.

“There’s no place like Kissimmee when it comes to delicious food. From gourmet restaurants offering exquisite dishes in elegant settings, to family-friendly eateries serving traditional Florida favorites in a laid-back atmosphere, there is something for every taste and every mood,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “The FRLA is thrilled this week’s episode of Emeril’s Florida highlights three restaurants in Kissimmee that offer unparalleled dining experiences and reflect a sample of the many different culinary styles and influences of the area.”

Emeril’s first stop on the “Kissimmee” episode begins at El Tenampa. El Tenampa is one of the highest rated Mexican restaurants in the area and has been serving authentic Mexican food since 2008.  The food is representative of the Jalisco state of Mexico and Guadalajara, the state’s capital. The owners, Jorge and Angelica Garcia, are both from Jalisco and their menu includes family recipes they grew up eating. Some of their specialties include seafood platters, cactus dishes, authentic Mole, and frescos – fresh fruit juices made daily. Emeril samples these and other dishes from their menu.

Emeril’s next stop is the Bohemian Hotel in Celebration.  The hotel is a boutique lakefront property known for its tranquil setting and elegant wedding coordination. The Bohemian Hotel has 115 guest rooms and suites and features a lobby inspired by nature and sophisticated Floridian elegance. On the property is the hotel restaurant, the Lakeside Bar and Grill that offers luxurious lakeside dining and an indulgent new menu. Chef Zachary Martin is the Executive Chef for the restaurant and was mentored by Emeril at his restaurants in New Orleans.  Emeril and Chef Martin talk about how his menu has evolved while they taste some of the chef’s signature dishes including Grilled Blue Point Oyster, Truffle Salted Grilled Lobster, and Grilled Lamb T-Bone.

The final stop on the “Kissimmee” episode is Reunion Wyndham Grand Golf and Spa Resort.  It is one of the premier tourist destinations in Kissimmee.  The resort is a part of the Salamander Collection of Hotels, and is owned by BET mogul Sheila Johnson. Eleven is the fine dining restaurant within the resort. Eleven is named for its location on the eleventh floor of the main tower of the resort and it overlooks their 2300-acre property as well as Disney in the distance. Chef Etienne Jehl, a French born and trained chef, heads the kitchen and oversees a menu that includes lamb, steak, seafood and more. Emeril sits down with Chef Jehl to taste some of his favorite dishes.

The show reruns on Monday, March 16 at 9:30 a.m. EST and Thursday, March 19 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, photos of dishes prepared, 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.

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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.