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delawarerestaurant.org
Quarter2
F
or all of you who attended our
inaugural fundraiser this past month
to support the Delaware Restaurant
Association
Educational
Foundation
(DRAEF), it was truly a celebration to
highlight the industry’s commitment to
students, education and ensuring the
future of Delaware’s restaurant community.
Dedicated restaurateurs, chefs, educators,
students and vendors all came together
for this sold-out event at Harry’s Savoy
Grill and Ballroom to support ProStart—a
nationwide, two-year culinary and
management curriculum currently in 13
Delaware High Schools, educating over
1700 students. This first annual fundraising
dinner showcased Delaware’s top chefs
paired with six of our ProStart schools to
prepare a beautiful meal where the students
were the evening’s stars!
ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum
provides this type of real world experience
along with the practical knowledge and
work experience to build a foundation
that will last a lifetime. ProStart is helping
students develop leadership skills like
no other program in Delaware and is
endorsed by Governor Markell’s Pathways
to Prosperity initiative!
We are so proud of our students, dedicated
educators and mentors whom we celebrate
in this issue for their passionate commitment
to our vibrant industry! ProStart is inspiring
students to succeed at every level!
I sincerely thank each and every one of
you for your support of the DRAEF.
Carrie Leishman, President & CEO
Delaware Restaurant Association
we l c ome
{
2015 DRA BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Bobby Pancake,
Buffalo Wild Wings/High 5, LLC
VICE-CHAIR
Steve Montgomery,
The Starboard/Bethany Blues
TREASURER
Jeff Cook,
2 Fat Guys
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN
Matthew DiSabatino,
Striper Bites, Kindle, Half Full
PRESIDENT & CEO
Carrie Leishman
DIRECTORS
Javier Acuna,
Hakuna Hospitality Group
Bob Ashby,
Ashby Hospitality
Mashoor Awad,
IHOP
Les Dukart,
McDonalds/Dukart Management
Dennis Forbes,
Cool Springs/Restaurant 55
Ryan German,
Caffé Gelato
Mike Gershenfeld,
Sysco Eastern Maryland
Gary Gunderson,
Innovative Hospitality Solutions
Tom Hannum,
Buckley’s Tavern
Scott Kammerer,
SoDel Concepts
Bill Klemkowski,
Jake’s Seafood House
Dr. Sheryl Kline,
Univ of Delaware HRIM
Betsy LeRoy,
Pizza By Elizabeths
Jean Lloyd,
BDO USA LLP
Steve Lucey,
Six Paupers/ Ulysses
Hank Rosenberg,
Harrington Raceway
Paul Ruggerio,
NKS Distributors
Xavier Teixido,
Harry’s Hospitality
Steve Torpey,
Stanley’s Tavern
DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Sydney Arzt
Kevin Davies
Paul Wise
DRA STAFF
Carrie Leishman,
President & CEO
Krystal Peters,
Director of Operations /
Education Director & ProStart
®
Coordinator
Karen Stauffer,
Director of
Marketing & Membership
2015 DRAEF BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Meghan Gardner,
Blue Moon
VICE CHAIR
Xavier Teixido,
Harry’s Hospitality
TREASURER
Josh Grapski,
Nage
SECRETARY
Betsy LeRoy,
Pizza by Elizabeths
PRESIDENT & CEO
Carrie Leishman
DIRECTOR
Ed Hennessy,
Delaware Techinical
Community College
EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Krystal Peters
Thank you to our 2015 DRAEF
Fundraising Dinner Sponsors & Supporters
Sysco
United Distributors
Gordon Food Service
Delaware Today
Ashby Hospitality Group
Buffalo Wild Wings
BW Unlimited
Charity Fundraising
Caffe Gelato
Erco Ceilings & Interiors
Halperns’ Meat & Seafood
Harry’s Hospitality Group
IHOP
Jake’s Seafood House
N.K.S. Distributors
Nage
Orly Diamonds
Pizza by Elizabeths
Singer Equipment
Southern Wine & Spirits
The Starboard
Two Stones Pub
Waste Management
