PR&LA Fall 2018

Fall 2018 • PENNSYLVANIA RESTAURANT & LODGING matters •  29 Philadelphia Chapter, cont. Jeff Guaracino was named the new president and CEO of Visit Philadelphia and starts his tenure on October 29. Prior to joining Visit Philadelphia, he was president and CEO of Welcome America Inc. Jeff takes over the role filled by Meryl Levitz, who announced her retirement earlier this year. Ellis Coffee partnered with students from Philadelphia’s Conwell Middle School to teach them about coffee operations from farm to roastery. The students produced an award-winning video short in the City of Philadelphia’s “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing” contest. Check out the video: youtu.be/jRoOwZtl14Y. Southern Chapter The Gettysburg Hotel is excited for the recent opening of their new 60-seat Starbucks. Western Chapter Bella Sera’s Jason Capp has launched guided tours of the Tuscany region of Italy. Learn more about the opportunity to travel and enjoy delicious foods and wines at www.tendaysintuscany.com. Congratulations to Major Stokes, Seton Hill professor Jim Bosco’s new venture in Greensburg, on earning its Gold Designation as a Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant earlier this summer! Former PRLA chairman John Graf, The Priory Hospitality Group, was named to the Irish Small Business—Big Impact 50 list, which honors Irish American entrepreneurs and business leaders. The Duquesne Club’s executive pastry chef, William Racin, was named the American Culinary Federation’s Pastry Chef of the Year at the ACF annual convention in July. •