FORMER CRA PRESIDENT TO SERVE TEMPORARY DUTY FOR THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2008

Capitola, Calif. - Ted Burke, co-owner of the Shadowbrook Restaurant in Capitola and National Restaurant Association (NRA) board member, has accepted a five-week temporary tour of duty beginning January 29th to be part of a four-member team that includes two United States Air Force personnel and one other industry professional to evaluate and determine the best air force dining facilities worldwide with the outcome of recommending the overall winner.

The NRA is integrally involved in maintaining the high morale of the Air Force’s service personnel by ensuring they have access to hot, nutritious foods daily as they perform their vital roles worldwide in defense of the nation and its interests. The NRA is a key supporting organization of the USAF’s annual Hennessy Award Competition, whereby nominee bases from the various Air Force commands vie for a coveted trophy annually and the right to claim being the best foodservice facility in the United States Air Force.

After three days of training and orientation at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas this year’s itinerary will take Ted to six additional stateside Air Force bases (including the United States Air Force Academy) as well as U.S. airbases in Turkey and Japan. During the training and throughout the assignment Ted will serve duty with a high civilian rank equivalent to Major General, or Two-Star General.
Representatives from the winning bases will be honored in a highly patriotic ceremony in May that is open to the 75,000 attendees and exhibitors during the NRA’s annual tradeshow in Chicago.

Ted states, “Not only will I have a chance to tour some unique locations in this country and abroad but I will also have an opportunity to meet and speak with so many outstanding individuals while I’m there. In addition to serving their country, these military foodservice personnel also provide a vital service to their colleagues. Thus, I am extremely proud and honored to be part of the Hennessy Awards program.”

Ted will be serving alongside Mr. George Miller, Chief Master Sgt. Ret., Chief of Air Force Food Service; Master Sergeant Michelle Williams, USAF; and Mr. Ron Tremper, board member of the Society of Foodservice Management and Senior Training and Development Consultant for the Compass Group, an international foodservice company with $14 billion in annual revenues.

It is expected that the team evaluation and Ted’s temporary duty will be completed sometime in the first week of March.