Chicago Gourmet Tickets on Sale Next Tuesday | | |
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Good taste is hitting the runway at Chicago Gourmet. The culinary event of the year is excited to announce this year’s lineup of fashion-inspired events, a stylish world-class roster of chefs, and the launch of ticket sales July 23.
From September 21-29 and an early preview on August 15, one of the nation’s top culinary festivals, Chicago Gourmet, struts onto the scene in haute style. With the Illinois Restaurant Association as the founding sponsor and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits as the presenting sponsor, this year's theme for the culinary extravaganza is "Fashion, Plated"—a celebration of the seamless fusion of food and fashion.
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FTC Issues a Series of Actions Aimed at Franchises | |
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Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a series of actions that strongly discouraged broad non-disparagement clauses and hidden fees within franchisor-franchisee contracts. The FTC has also reopened the comment period for the 2023 Request for Information (RFI) related to franchise agreements and franchisor business practices. Comments can be submitted until October 10, 2024.
Please note the Franchise Rule, which deals with the information that franchisors must disclose to prospective franchisees, has not changed.
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Join Hospitality Leaders in Supporting State Rep. Kelly Cassidy | |
Hospitality Roundtable on August 13 | | |
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Join us for another Hospitality Industry Roundtable on Tuesday, August 13 from 10-11:30am. The event will be held at Uvae Kitchen & Wine Bar and feature guest speaker Robert Bernstein from Laner Muchin, who will offer updates on hospitality laws.
Register for the roundtable here. We look forward to seeing you!
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Register for the IRA Annual Golf Classic on August 7 | | |
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The Illinois Restaurant Association’s Annual Golf Classic presented by Kraken Rum is almost here! We have sponsorship opportunities available, and some include otherwise unavailable foursomes. Contact Lisette Medina if you are interested in sponsoring the event.
We are also looking for some additional silent auction donations for this event—unique experiences, sports tickets, and gift cards do really well here! If you’d like to donate, please contact Sydney Goodman.
We hope you can join us at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club for a little lei’d back golfing fun!
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Cubs Membership Mixer 2024 | |
Recap of IRAEF Scholarship Luncheon | |
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Last Saturday, 100 students, teachers, donors, and industry mentors turned out at Tunnel in Chicago to celebrate 48 deserving and hard-working students in receiving $115,000 in scholarships toward post-secondary hospitality and/or culinary education. Since its inception, the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF) has given away $3.4 million in scholarships.
Congratulations to our future restaurant leaders!
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Empowering Tomorrow's Food Leaders: ProStart® Summer Camp | |
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Make a difference in the lives of aspiring chefs and our community! Join us this August for our annual FREE high school summer camp.
In partnership with Fight2Feed and the Democratic National Convention, we're offering high school ProStart® students an opportunity to:
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Become Certified: Earn a Sustainability & Composting Certificate for classroom lessons
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Experience Hands-on Learning: Spend 3 days learning valuable hands-on culinary skills alongside industry professionals.
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Give Back to the Community: Meals prepared by students will be distributed to those in need.
Invest in the Future: Become a Partner!
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Donors: Help fund this impactful program or donate supplies, prizes, uniforms, etc. in-kind.
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Volunteers: Share your passion for food and sustainability.
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Expert Speakers: Motivate future chefs and hospitality leaders.
Please contact Jessica Blomquist to become involved with any of our programs.
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Webinar: Preventing and Treating Burns - Essential Safety Practices You Need to Know | | |
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Join the Illinois Restaurant Association, Dr. Josh Carson, Director of Loyola Medicine's Burn Center, and the Cook County Small Business Source to learn how to prevent kitchen burns, proper first aid, and burn resources available to you.
Date: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Time: 10:00AM CT
**Este seminario web se transmitirá en inglés y español.**
**此网络研讨会有中英双语放送选项**
Register for the webinar here.
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IRA President Judged Sheriff's Garden Chef Challenge | | |
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Yesterday, IRA President and CEO Sam Toia served as a judge for the Sheriff’s Garden Chef Challenge, along with Sheriff Dart and Chef Sean Myers, the winner of last year's competition. For this challenge, two local chefs had an hour to create a dish using produce grown by participants in the Urban Farm program. And to add an extra level of difficulty, all the cooking occurred outdoors on the farm using hot plates/burners.
Congratulations to everyone who participated!
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Your National Association Needs Your Feedback | |
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The National Restaurant Association is seeking your feedback through an important membership survey, regardless of your level of engagement with the National Association. This is your chance to influence our strategy and ensure that our programs and services are tailored to benefit your restaurant. Vault Consulting will be sending an email with your survey link soon (safelist mailer@euro.confirmit.com to guarantee you receive it). Your honest responses are vital to our success. Participate today and help us better serve you!
Thank you in advance for helping us advance our mission to serve our industry and impact its success!
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Business Advising Through the Source | | |
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The IRA is proud to partner with the Source to provide no-cost, one-on-one business advising services. Through the Source’s award-winning business advising program, our experienced advisors work hand-in-hand with local small business owners to understand their unique needs and to develop a pathway toward successful solutions. Our dedicated advisors provide ongoing coaching and support throughout the life cycle of a business, mentorship, and assistance to address a businesses most pressing needs, including:
- Building or revising your business plan
- Establishing credit
- Growing your customer base or entering new markets
- Navigating and securing procurement opportunities
- Preparing your business for grant and loan opportunities
- And more!
Best of all, this program is free for small businesses operating in Cook County with fewer than 20 employees.
Ready to begin your business advising journey with the IRA and the Source? Visit the Source’s website to learn more and sign up today.
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The IRA would like to thank all existing members.
For more information about the benefits of becoming an IRA member, contact Nia Esparza.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS | | | | |
