Episode 6: Legislative Wrap up and Restaurant week Your favorite podcast hosts Stan Harris and Will Dubois recap new bills, LRA, Advocacy, Work and Outcomes of the past few weeks. They continue in the back half of the program with a roundabout focused on Restaurant week in New Orleans, Wages, Craft Beer and ARP tourism spending. Tune in next time f…

President & CEO Stan Harris and Director of Government & Public Affairs Will DuBos start the intimidating conversation of what to do if a restaurant operator has to testify infront of a committee. Listen to hear tips on presenting to a large group, and how to send the right message to the legislature without nerves getting in the way. LRA Greater B…

When you become a member of the Louisiana Restaurant Association, it is more than our workers’ compensation program. With the LRA, you’re investing in a network of expert professionals whose mission it is to advocate and protect your businesses, and personal livelihood. Our CEO and President Stan Harris explains the importance of developing a perso…

Our CEO Stan Harris and Director of Public & Governmental Affairs Will DuBos chat on this week’s Capitol Connection about how a bill becomes a law, fiscal sessions vs. regular sessions and spending vs. tax bills.द्वारा lracomm

Bill Deturk is a cocktail enthusiast, host of WWOZ’s New Orleans Music Show and Liquor Manager at Rouses’s on Tchoupitoulas. This week, he teaches us about the official, unofficial cocktail of the Rex Organization, the Ojen cocktail. Ring in your Carnival celebrations and listen in to hear about the cocktail’s rich Mardi Gras history!…

Michael Boudreaux met his wife Laura while working catering jobs at Juban’s in the late 90s. In this episode, you’ll hear a never before told story of how a habit led to a bickering match and awe between the duo. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, this is one love story that’s full of ups and downs, surprises and best of all, humor.…

Zoe Chase is the great granddaughter of the legendary “Queen of Creole Cuisine” – the late Leah Chase. In this episode, we hear her story as a graduate of the New Orleans Culinary and Hospitality Institute and now chef at Dooky Chase Restaurant. She’s hosting her inaugural multi-course dinner on February 10, paying homage to her Creole roots while …

Cierra Varnado is living her dream career as the Director of Research, Development and Quality Assurance at BEC Co-packers in Slidell. She attributes her success in part to her time at NOCCA, the John Folse Culinary Institute, University of Holy Cross and working for Legendary Chef Frank Brigsten. She also shows gratitude for being a two-time LRA E…

LRA Director Mickey Freiberg of A La Carte Foods is the 2022 State Whip to the NRA Public Affairs Conference scheduled for April 25-27 in Washington, D.C. In this episode, Mickey shares the importance of making the trip, behind the scenes experiences, and gives kudos to Congressman Steve Scalise and Senator Bill Cassidy. Interested in making a diff…

The pandemic shocked the hospitality industry and caused a shortage of employees during a critical time in recovery. Restaurants are extremely short-staffed, which means restaurant owners are spending all their time working in the business and can’t be strategic. Restaurant managers and existing employees are overworked, and it all affects the gues…

Hear from Wendie Huffman, New Business Development Manager for Sysco as she discusses a topic that is all too relevant in today’s climate – supply chain solutions.द्वारा lracomm

Eligible restaurants can now access ERTC for 2020 and 2021 for eligible employee wages as long as these specific payroll wages and/or group benefits were not directly paid with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funds. Employers can access up to $5,000 per eligible employee in 2020, and up to $7,000 per eligible employee for each calendar quart…

Menu engineering is absolutely awesome. You can reduce your food costs by three to seven points when done correctly the first time you use it. Right now, that probably seems like exactly what you need. But beware: menu engineering is not your secret weapon to lowering your food costs. You can’t just raise prices on your menu willy nilly. Before you…

Adopting technology should not only give your team time back but provide real-time data to empower your business. Now, more than ever, having an in-the-moment view of your finances and operations allows you to stay nimble as our industry continues to recover. Hear from Bruce Earle with Margin Edge to hear how through technology you can: understand …

Did you know there are programs in Louisiana right now that can assist in offsetting the cost of training your new and existing team members? Hear from New Orleans Job 1 Center and David Emond of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation about two specific grants available to complement your restaurant training programs.…

Hear from Darren Darby of Creole Bagelry and Greg Reggio of Taste Buds Management to learn how restaurant manager and line look apprenticeships create a pipeline of qualified team members.द्वारा lracomm

Hear from Bobby Fradella, Vice President of Training at Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar, as he discusses how to build a people-first culture that lasts – focusing on clarity of brand purpose, vision and mission. Dive into the relationships needed to live the Walk-On’s Way – WOW!द्वारा lracomm

LRA President and CEO Stan Harris covers the 2021 Louisiana Legislative Session outcomes for the restaurant and tourism industries in this 30 minute session.द्वारा lracomm

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In this episode, Stan Harris discusses the $28.6 billion SBA-administered Restaurant Revitalization Fund which opens May 3; the third week of the Louisiana Legislature; and local industry issues in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.द्वारा lracomm

LRA President and CEO Stan Harris discusses the National Restaurant Association’s recent letter to Congress that recapped the recent COVID-19 impact survey. For months, Congress has been trapped in a political tug-of-war while restaurants continue to go dark. A group of moderate Democrats and Republicans last week unveiled a compromise plan that ha…

In this episode, Stan Harris and Wendy Waren dish about the status of a next federal COVID-relief package, the Governor’s announcement that Louisiana will move to Phase 3 on Sept. 11; National Food Safety Month, the ServSafe Dining Commitment and the accompanying national advertising campaign to rebuild consumer confidence. Mayor of Lake Charles Ni…

During this episode, you’ll get an update on recovery efforts in the areas devastated by Hurricane Laura, and we chat with LRA Past Chair Rob King of Pitt Grills who reopened his restaurant this week using a generator and bottled water. We also talk to LCMC Health CEO Greg Feirn, who shares the news about Operation Bon Appetit, designed to reward t…

Hear from the National Restaurant Association’s Sean Kennedy on what’s transpired in the last 48 hours in D.C., what’s happening in the House this weekend and the Senate’s proposed “skinny” relief bill; LRA Member Brad Watts testimony before the Louisiana Economic Recovery Taskforce; and from LRA Hall of Famer Chef John Folse on how he’s handled th…

In Episode 18, State Treasurer John Schroder joins host Wendy Waren to bust myths on who is eligible for the Louisiana Main Street Recovery Grant Program and what expenses are reimbursable. And just in, Governor Edwards gives an update from his August 13 (today) press conference on unemployment compensation.…

In Episode 17, we hear from Ernest Legier, the newly appointed Commissioner of the Alcohol Tobacco Control with details of the Conditional Restaurant Permit process. Award Winning Chef Frank Brigtsen reports on week one of reopening his small fine dining restaurant given the spacing challenges to meet social distancing requirements for kitchen staf…

LRA President/CEO Stan Harris joins us with an update on where things stand in Louisiana and what restaurants need to do right now to avoid closures and reduce staff exposure to COVID. Sean Kennedy, EVP for Public Affairs for the National Restaurant Association brings us a report from D.C., where negotiations have stalled between Republicans and De…

National Restaurant Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Sean Kennedy joined the podcast to explain the importance of the restaurant industry standing on a united front to get the attention our industry needs from policymakers. Right now, our short term focus is survival and our long term focus is revival. Listen in now.…

Stan Harris and Wendy Waren are back in the office today talking about the National Restaurant Association’s Blueprint for Restaurant Revival plan. Stan also reminds us to practice “COVID Courtesy” and abide by Governor John Bel Edwards’ state wide mask mandate. Stay tuned to hear a little clip of Stan on the Governor’s talk show from July 15. Fina…

On Episode 13, Stan briefs us on legislative special sessions, the Main Street Recovery program, and the extended PPP program. Wendy urges members to complete the NRA Survey #4 (take the survey here) to assure the needs of the entire restaurant industry are met. The Acadiana Chapter President Randy Daniel ends the podcast by telling us his own pers…

LRA President and CEO Stan Harris starts off this episode with a bang, “It would appear we are done with the virus, but it is very clear the virus is not done with us.” Phase 2 may be extended until July 28, but officials will be reviewing and analyzing the data every 7 days, and there may be a possibility we could move forward to Phase 3 if the da…

Our hosts Stan Harris and Wendy Waren are back for Episode 11! Stan agrees that though its disappointing we did not move forward to Phase 3, it was expected due to the rise of cases across the country. He also reminds all of our listeners to mask up and practice proper handwashing before you enter a restaurant. No matter how impatient we are, we ne…

In Episode 10, we hear from LRA members Michael Boudreaux, partner of four separate concepts in Baton Rouge; Donald Spahr, of Malt & Burger and Spahr’s Seafood down the Bayou; and Cory Bahr of Parish Restaurant in Louisiana’s Delta–Monroe. This episode features optimism, reflection and gratitude for the communities that have supported their restaur…

We’re back with another podcast! Stan Harris opens up recapping this year’s legislative session and tells us a bit more about Phase 2 guidance. We then hear from Jordan Fladell of mLevel to talk about our newest collaborative initiative, THRIVE Louisiana. Lastly, General Manager Christian Pendelton of Brennan’s Restaurant jumps on the call to expla…

The LRA’s Conversations in the COVID Crisis is back with Stan Harris and Wendy Waren dishing about several pieces of legislation to benefit restaurants. You’ll want to hear this lineup of bills working their way through the session; you’ll hear Melvin Rodrigue’s comments to President Trump and Treasury Sec. Mnunchin recorded live from the White Hou…

In this week’s episode, the legislature went back to session on May 4. Listen in to hear a recorded Facebook Live interview from LRA President & CEO Stan Harris, Senator Sharon Hewitt, Senator Patrick McMath and Representative Blake Miguez as they discuss the dire situation our industry is in right now and an important piece of legislation making i…

This week, our host Stan Harris guest starred on an interview with Jeff Palermo of The Louisiana Radio Network. Don Pearson, Secretary of Louisiana’s economic development, finally delivers some positive news on how Louisianians are heading in the right direction. Robert Peyton, co-founder of Chef’s Brigade – NOLA (a program designed to feed first r…

In today’s episode, special guests Chef Tory McPhail of the New Orleans famous Commander’s Palace, Randy Daniel of OMW Restaurant Holdings in Lafayette, and the LRA’s own VP of Membership Pam St. Pierre will join hosts Stan Harris, LRA President & CEO and Wendy Waren, VP of Communications.द्वारा lracomm

We open episode 4 “The Lost Month” with an interview between Stan Harris and Newell Normal of WWL radio who discuss the state of industry as we assess impacts nearly a month later from the state mandated stay at home order. Then we’ll hear from the front lines of franchising: what franchisors, franchisees, and multi-unit operators are doing to keep…

In today’s episode, hosts Stan Harris, LRA President & CEO and Wendy Waren, VP of Comm, will speak with Emery Whalen, CEO and founder of QED Hospitality, Jason Jones, Regional Sales Manager for Sysco New Orleans, and Sal Bivalacqua, owner and founder of Seven Three Distilling about phases of legislation, a new business loan program, and how their b…

The LRA presents a special edition podcast, “Conversations in the COVID Crisis,” capturing the stories of our industry during the most unprecedented of times. Join your hosts LRA President & CEO Stan Harris and VP of Communications Wendy Waren as they discuss the challenges the industry faces in the wake of COVID-19. Special guests Andy Kopplin, Pr…

The LRA presents a special edition podcast, “Conversations in the COVID Crisis,” capturing the stories of our industry during the most unprecedented of times. Join your hosts LRA President & CEO Stan Harris and VP of Communications Wendy Waren as they discuss the challenges the industry faces in the wake of COVID-19. Special guests Melvin Rodrigue,…