To download photos of the event, please click on the following link: 

http://www.nraef.org/headline/photos_SPIRIT_2008.asp

“The NRAEF’s SPIRIT Awards & FMP Recognition Breakfast provides a tremendous opportunity for us to recognize those individuals and organizations who go above and beyond in ensuring our industry has the workforce and leadership it needs to remain the cornerstone of our nation’s economy,” stated Linda Bacin, chairman, NRAEF Board of Trustees.  “Coach Joe is a wonderful example of the drive and dedication that our industry needs of its leaders, and his commitment to giving back to his surrounding community embodies the mission of the National Restaurant Association and the restaurant and foodservice industry.”

The breakfast was followed by the SPIRIT Awards Workshop “Recruitment, Retention and Recognition – Companies with Award-winning SPIRIT,” during which more than 160 attendees engaged the 2007 award winners as they presented and took questions on their outstanding people practices. 

Joe Crosby is the owner of T-60 Grill Restaurant in Fairplay, SC and the president and CEO of Coach’s Low Country Brands™ and Coach’s Low Country Boil^® in Seneca, SC.  A retired head football coach, Coach Crosby opened T-60 Grill in 2003 and has since demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to the growth and success of the future restaurant and foodservice industry and their surrounding communities.  Through initiatives like The Joe & Kristina Crosby Education Foundation, Coach Crosby continues to go to tremendous lengths to ensure that young people across the country are provided with the financial assistance they need to reach their educational goals. 

The SPIRIT Awards is a joint effort between the NRAEF, Nation’s Restaurant News and Coca-Cola, honoring those restaurant and foodservice establishments who, through their recruitment, training and retention programs, truly understand that enhancing employee satisfaction ultimately leads to improved guest satisfaction.  The program, now in its third year, has been met with wide acclaim throughout the industry.  For further information on the 2008 SPIRIT Awards please visit http://www.mufso.com/Spirit.aspx.

The Foodservice Management Professional® (FMP®) credential, developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and managed nationally by National Restaurant Association Solutions, distinguishes restaurant and foodservice professionals who achieve the high level of knowledge, experience, leadership and professionalism our industry most desires.  More than 3,700 restaurant and foodservice industry professionals have earned the FMP credential.  They represent all industry segments – full service, quick service and on-site foodservice; schools; clubs and other institutions.  To learn more about the FMP credential, please visit http://www.nraef.org/fmp/fmp_about.asp

About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling the educational mission of the National Restaurant Association. As the nation's second largest private sector employer, the restaurant and foodservice industry is the cornerstone of the American economy, of career-and-employment opportunities, and of local communities. Revenues from all NRAEF products and services benefit the industry by supporting the NRAEF's educational initiatives.  For more information on the NRAEF, visit http://www.nraef.org/.