The Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) is proud to announce the finalists for the 2025 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards. Now in its 17th year, the GRACE Awards celebrate outstanding achievement and hospitality excellence across Georgia’s restaurant and foodservice industry.

All finalists are peer-nominated, ensuring the most deserving professionals and organizations are recognized by those who best understand their exceptional dedication to hospitality. Winners are selected by the GRACE Academy, an independent panel of former GRACE honorees, along with current and former GRA Board and Advisory Board members. 

“The GRACE Awards celebrate the heart of Georgia’s hospitality community—people who work tirelessly, lead with passion and serve with integrity,” said Stephanie Fischer, President & CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association. “Our finalists represent every corner of the state and every segment of the industry, from neighborhood favorites to iconic regional brands. Their resilience, innovation, and commitment to service continue to elevate Georgia as a premier dining destination.” 

The 2025 GRACE Awards Gala will be held on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025, at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. This premier industry celebration brings together restaurant owners, chefs, suppliers, and community leaders from across the state for an evening recognizing excellence in hospitality. George McKerrow returns to serve as master of ceremonies for this year’s festivities. Winners will be announced for Restaurateur of the Year, Emerging Restaurateur of the Year, Industry Partner of the Year, Hospitality Hero of the Year, Restaurant Manager of the Year, Restaurant Employee of the Year, the GRA Hall of Fame, Chairman’s Honor, and the Georgia on My Mind People's Choice Awards. Philip J. Hickey, Jr., the GRACE Lifetime Achievement honoree, will also be recognized.

“The GRACE Awards are more than a recognition of achievement—they are a reflection of the power of hospitality to build community and create opportunity,” added Fischer. “We look forward to celebrating these remarkable finalists and the role they play in driving Georgia’s economic success and cultural vibrancy.” 

2025 GRACE AWARDS FINALISTS + HONOREES 

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE

• Philip J. Hickey, Jr., Chairman, Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q and Miller's Ale House

RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

• Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, I. Pano Karatassos, Pano I. Karatassos, and Niko I. Karatassos

• LEAD Hospitality, Scott McCray

• Louisiana Bistreaux and Malone's Steak & Seafood, Feroz Delawalla

• Oliva Restaurant Group, Tal Baum

EMERGING RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

• The Animal Farm and Gabagool Italian, Hudson Terrell

• Blue Hound Barbecue, Kyle Bryner

• Bomb Biscuit Co., Erika Council

• Tio Lucho’s, Arnaldo Castillo

INDUSTRY PARTNER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

• Gas South

• Halperns’ Steak & Seafood

• Sard & Leff

HOSPITALITY HERO OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

• Fat Man's Cafe and Catering, Brad Usry and Hav Usry

• Parker's Kitchen, Greg Parker

• Publix Super Markets – Atlanta Division

RESTAURANT MANAGER OF THE YEAR

• Nathan Martin, Ted's Montana Grill (Peachtree City)   

RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR

• Brian Boyle, Atlanta Fish Market (Buckhead Life Restaurant Group)

• Presented posthumously to Traci Heller, Hudson Grille Midtown (Metrotainment Cafes)

To learn more about the GRACE Awards or to sponsor and purchase tickets, visit garestaurants.org/GRACE.