As I write this, it has been two looooooong years of enduring Covid and all that has come with it.  It’s hard for me to believe all that most Kentucky restaurants have survived, and I applaud you for your resilience and creativity.  As we start Spring, there is so much hope on the horizon!  Delayed events and celebrations will take place in our restaurants.  Casual meet-ups for coffee, breakfast, lunch or dinner will be “normal,” as they should be.  Business lunches and travel are picking up again.  I wish you all the business you can handle, and returning staff to go along with it.

This issue focuses on Events – we have a few this year!  We started the year out with a bang at the Restaurateur’s Gala.  I was bracing for a lower turnout, but do you know we only had 8 fewer people than the 2020 Gala – which was the largest in KRA history?  I think restaurant folks were ready to party!  Check out the pictures in this issue if you missed it.  The KRA Northern Kentucky Chapter had its spectacular Mardi Gras taste on March 1 – also known as Fat Tuesday – and set records in attendance and funds raised for several homeless children’s charities.  Our Sporting Clays Tournament last year was such a big hit – and sold out very quickly – that we’re bringing it back!  It will take place again at Jefferson Gun Club in Brooks on June 13.  The KRA Louisville Chapter will host its Firecracker Scramble on June 20 at Woodhaven Country Club – it’s always a great time!  More golf will bring Golftoberfest on October 3 at Persimmon Ridge Golf Club, where last year’s event had a record amount of participants, food, beverage and camaraderie.  The Taste of Louisville will be back this year on October 12 after a two year hiatus, and we can’t wait to celebrate together!  We’re planning to hold a trade show on November 17 and still working out the details.

While I know it is challenging for you to leave your business for a day or even a few hours – especially with staffing shortages – it’s important for us to get together, network, learn from each other and see new products.  Based on this year’s response, I predict the 2023 Restaurateur’s Gala will top 300!  Our tentative date is January 23, 2023.

I just wouldn’t be me if I didn’t reference membership.  Restaurant owners, to be a member of KRA is a few hundred dollars a year AND it’s 75% tax deductible!  It’s a business expense, and it gets you advice, experts, programs, savings and a whole family you didn’t know you needed.  You determine the dues you pay.  The best part is you make the industry’s voice louder when legislators and health departments need to hear us.  Thank you to our already joined members, and we’re waiting for you to our future members!