International Luxury Restaurant of the Year
Fearing’s – Dallas, Texas, United States
The 2008 IRHAS
International Restaurant & Hotel Awards
For Immediate Release: Beverly Hills, California – November 21st, 2008
9107 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 450
Beverly Hills, CA. 90210 USA
1-310-285-3808
2008 IRHAS GALA CEREMONY
(Beverly Hills, CA, November 21st, 2008) – The 2008 IRHAS presented by the International Restaurant and Hotel Awards honored seven legends of the travel & dining industry on November 16th, 2008 at the home of the Golden Globes, The Beverly Hilton, in Beverly Hills, California. The star-studded gala ceremony was hosted by Mark DeCarlo from Taste of America on the Travel Channel and included a special Spotlight on New Orleans along with the presentation of the 2008 IRHAS Honorees, Supporting Recipients, Traveler’s Vote Award Recipients & Grand Awards for the International Restaurants and Hotels of the Year.
The 2008 IRHAS honorees were selected by the IRHA Advisory Board in the spring of 2008. The International Restaurant & Hotel Awards paid tribute to these seven legends of travel and dining by screening a video tribute produced by The IRHAS that highlighted the lifetime achievements of each honoree. The annual gala affair promotes the global appreciation of travel, dining and cultural exploration by celebrating legends of the travel and dining industry and the creative community that assists traveler’s and foodies in planning unforgettable experiences.
The International Restaurant & Hotel Awards are the world’s most prestigious awards recognizing the best value, moderate and luxury travel establishments in the industry. The Best New Restaurants and Hotels of the Year and the International Value, Moderate and Luxury Restaurants and Hotels of the Year were awarded IRHA statues in front of restaurateurs, hoteliers, international star chefs, “foodies”, travelers, organization leaders, food, wine and travel writers, travel guide editors and publishers, the IRHA Jury, Advisory Board and a host of others.
The evening included a Spotlight on New Orleans that honored several humanitarians for assisting the City of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Cat Cora from the Food Network and “Iron Chef” accepted an award onstage on behalf of her organization Chefs for Humanity and introduced the Spotlight on New Orleans video tribute – “7.1 Million visitors came to New Orleans in 2007, which was double the amount in 2006. New Orleans is definitely back!” Chef Paul Prudhomme, The Emeril Lagasse Foundation and Best Western for a Better World were recognized prior to the Spotlight on New Orleans video tribute for their tireless efforts to restore the Crescent City. The 2008 Humanitarian Award was presented to recipients The Cvitanovich Family and Drago’s Seafood Restaurant, who received a standing ovation. The Cvitanovich Family served over 77,000 meals after the hurricane hit. Drago’s employees lived onsite and drove meals to anyone they could find in need of a meal