There’s some good news about the food service industry to report from the National Restaurant Association (NRA). The Washington, D.C.-based group predicts U.S. restaurant sales will top $580 billion in 2010, which would be an increase of 2.5 percent over ’09. When adjusted for inflation, this number is essentially flat, yet it would still be an improvement from the 2.9-percent decline the industry saw last year. Regionally, the Southeast should fare well this year, with North Carolina expected to post the nation’s third highest restaurant sales increase, 2.7 percent. Florida will rank fourth nationally in total restaurant sales, at $27.6 billion, trailing only California, Texas and New York.

The ACF-Charlotte Chapter has honored its members and suppliers. Geoff Blount, CEPC, a culinary instructor at Central Piedmont Community College, has received the 2009 Chef of the Year Award. Philip Lloyd, CEC, ACE, received the Joseph P. Jarmatcki Jr. Award, and Yossi Shem Avi of US Foodservice, received the Associate of the Year Award.

The flurry of broker activity we reported in the last issue continues. Carolina-based Sharin’ Foodservice Sales has expanded into the Georgia market. Lynn Hale, formerly with Golden Cuisine and Pilgrim’s Pride, has joined Sharin’ to spearhead their new office. Florida-based Nuco has also opened an office in Georgia. Industry veteran Keith Taylor has launched the brokerage firm, Keith Taylor & Associates, in Georgia.

Merchants Foodservice, the Missisippi-based distributor, has purchased a 107,000-square-foot distribution facility in Tifton, Georgia. The acquisition will enable Merchants to expand its operations in Georgia, Florida and the Southeast, according to Andy Mercier, president and CEO.

Chefs from throughout the Southeast will compete for spots on the American Culinary Federation’s Culinary Team USA later this month. The team will represent the U.S. at the 2012 International Culinary Arts Exhibition, referred to as the “Culinary Olympics,” in Germany. The contestants include George Gonzalez, with Sodexho in Nashville, Tennessee; Brian Joseph Moll, CC, with Isleworth Country Club in Windermere, Florida; Stephen Perkins, CEC, with Marriott in Chesapeake, Virginia; Fred Raynaud, with Guest Services Inc., in Fairfax, Virginia; and Daryl Shular, CCC, with Performance Food Group in Oakwood, Georgia. Two Southeast chefs will also serve as judges: Daniel Scannell, CMC, with La Gorce Country Club in Miami Beach; and David Turcotte, CEC, AAC, with the U.S. Army in Ft. Lee, Virginia.

People in the news. Buckhead Bistro-Cellar 56 in Atlanta has promoted Josh Carden to executive chef. John Roonan has joined Cohen Food Brokerage. Darlington Foods has named David Brady business development manager.  Jay Poynter has joined Whole Harvest Products as business development manager. Brakebush Brothers Inc. has added Lisa Biggio as territory sales manager. Martin Gardner has been appointed president/COO of Kold-Draft. Folgers Coffee has added Dan Fitzgerald as a coffee specialist covering the Florida market. Ellen Trout has joined C and G Food Brokerage as a rep in south Florida. Jennifer Wilkes has been appointed Southeast business development manager for Imperial/Dixie Crystals Sugar. Paul Burton has joined Innovative Concept Group as general manager of their Carolina division.

It’s been an active month for brokers around the Southeast. Cohen Food Brokerage has been appointed by House of Raeford Farms. Wampler’s Farm Sausage and Amoy Foods have named Sunbelt Foods Company in Georgia. Amoy has also named Premier Sales in eastern Tennessee. Anchor Florida has been appointed by Clear Springs Fisheries statewide in Florida. Keith Taylor & Associates has been appointed by Prairie City Bakery and Texas Chili in Georgia. AFM-Pegasus has been named by Flowers Foods and Trident Seafood in Georgia. Bob Rowe Sales has been appointed statewide Florida broker for Inn Foods, Vanns Spices, Van Lang Foods, Kahki Foods, and Teton Valley Ranch. 

Food-Link, the Florida-based broker, has launched a new informative website – foodlinkfl.com.

The industry is mourning the passing of Melvin L. Richardson, who died on January 16 after a long battle with cancer. He was 70. Melvin was well known in the Carolina food service market, having spent many years with Biggers Brothers in Columbia. He also operated his own food brokerage company, A-Zesty Seafood.

Do you have a news item for People, Places & Things? Send it to John Hayward, editor, jhayward@sfsn.com.