Joshua Miller, owner of Local 121 restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island, was awarded the first annual 2010 Mayors’ Culinary Cup Award, the National Restaurant Association recently announced. The award was presented today during the U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) winter meeting by the Association’s immediate past chairman Michael Kaufman.
“We are pleased to partner with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Culinary Institute of America to recognize Josh Miller for working with local leaders and serving his community,” said Dawn Sweeney, president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association. “Sustainability is the new way of doing business in our industry, and local sourcing is a hot trend in restaurants this year. Mr. Miller is a great example of the positive impact these efforts can have on enhancing the quality of life for all we serve.”
“The Conference of Mayors recognizes the importance of highlighting the philanthropic side of restaurants and the role they play in improving the quality of life for America’s cities,” says Tom Cochran, USCM CEO and executive director. “Through a partnership with the National Restaurant Association and the Culinary Institute of America, we are thrilled to kick off the first annual Mayor’s Culinary Cup.”
The U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Restaurant Association, and The Culinary Institute of America created the award to recognize restaurants’ roles in improving quality of life. The award highlights restaurants’ contributions to their communities by supporting their mayors’ initiatives, and how collaboration between restaurant businesses and local government leaders results in community improvement. The Culinary Institute of America worked with the winner to create a signature dish for the awards luncheon.
Miller has been one of Providence Mayor David Cicilline’s strongest partners in encouraging the local restaurant community’s support of mayoral initiatives featured in Greenprint: Providence – the city’s first-ever strategic plan on commercial recycling and sustainable practices in restaurants. Miller works closely with the mayor in advocating for sustainable economy efforts in Providence by using locally produced food and beverages.
Local 121 is a Providence landmark that creates signature dishes from locally sourced ingredients: seasonal produce from local farmers, meat raised on New England pastures, and artisan suppliers.
The National Restaurant Association’s Conserve: Solutions for Sustainability initiative aims to help restaurant operators incorporate environmental practices into their daily operations. Tips, tools, and resources are available on the initiative’s Web site.
