Latest news with #Maggiano
New York Post
29-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Mayor Adams uses taxpayer-funded crypto trip to fundraise, with help from NYC's top tech official
Winner winner, crypto dinner! Mayor Eric Adams used his taxpayer-funded Las Vegas trip to a bitcoin convention to fill his campaign coffers with regular cash from crypto bros — with help from the city's top tech official, The Post has learned. Hizzoner hosted the exclusive luncheon Wednesday afternoon at a seemingly unexclusive chain restaurant on the strip, where attendees were encouraged to max out their contribution limit, according to the invitation obtained by The Post. Ahead of the fundraising lunch in the Calabria banquet room at Maggiano's Little Italy, the Big Apple's Chief Technology Officer made his case to the crowd about how New York City wants to embrace decentralized tech and digital currencies. Advertisement 3 Crypto billionaire Brock Pierce hosted the fundraiser. NYC Mayor's Office 'When New York City looks at crypto, blockchain and bitcoin, we don't see it as an evolving technology, we see it as a necessary tool like running water,' Matt Fraser said, introducing Adams, according to a stream of the DNA House event. Adams continued the Big Apple's pro-tech pitch to industry leaders, declaring, 'We are open for business.' Advertisement 'I think the communication that is coming out of Washington and New York City is a synergy that we are going to get this done,' he continued. As the mayor wrapped, a QR code flashed on the screen behind him, advertising his campaign donor drive at the corporate Italian eatery, 'Lunch with Mayor Eric Adams,' according to the video. The pair's pro-crypto speeches to the crowd — who were then immediately tapped for campaign donations — further blurred the lines between Adams officials' Big Apple duties and the mayor's longshot re-election bid. 3 NYC's Chief Technology Officer, Matthew Fraser, served as an opening act to the fundraiser. NYC Mayor's Office Advertisement Bitcoin billionaire and child actor Brock Pierce then jumped up on stage and instructed all those who have donated to head to the back of the room to get their seats for the luncheon. 'We're going to have a quick lunch and then continue with our regular scheduled programming,' Pierce said. Another organizer then followed up with the crowd, urging them to make a 'suggested donation' as indicated on the QR code. The barcode redirects people to the NYC Campaign Finance Board's donation page, where two donation options are prepopulated: $2,100 or 'other.' Advertisement 3 Mayor Eric Adams pitched himself to the crowd as making NYC the crypto capital of the world. NYC Mayor's Office It was unknown how many people attended the lunch or how much money was raised. Adams gave a pro-crypto speech earlier in the day at the main Bitcoin conference at The Venetian and spoke to the crowd again during the DNA House two-day event later in the evening — both of which were on the mayor's public schedule. But the speeches by Fraser and Adams at Maggiano's Little Italy, both speaking in their official capacity to kick off the fundraiser, were not publicly disclosed. The invite states the lunch was paid for by the mayor's reelection campaign and hosted by Pierce. 'Matt Fraser introduced Mayor Adams at the conference in his personal capacity,' campaign spokesperson Todd Shapiro insisted. 'His remarks were not coordinated by the campaign or City Hall, and he had no role in any fundraising activities. Any suggestion that he used his position to improperly promote the mayor or solicit donations is simply false.' Press secretary Kayla Mamelak said Fraser did not have anything to do with the fundraiser and City Hall will work with the Conflict of Interest Board if any reimbursements from the campaign are necessary. Advertisement Mamelak asserted that the pro-crypto speeches and the fundraiser were separate events. Calls to Pierce were not immediately returned. Adams has started to restart fundraising for his reelection bid since his historic criminal case was killed last month, with the latest campaign filing showing a haul of $155,000, nearly five times the prior period. But even after moving off the Democratic line in the race, Adams has largely stayed off the traditional campaign trail. Advertisement Instead, he's opted to use the bully pulpit in City Hall to pitch his record to New Yorkers. That strategy has yet to gain much traction with voters. The latest PIX11/Emerson poll still had Adams' approval rating at historic lows of 19%.
Malaysian Reserve
18-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Prestigious 2025 Gold Plate Award Goes to Kevin Hochman
IFMA The Food Away from Home Association honors the CEO & President of Brinker International with coveted Gold Plate Award CHICAGO, May 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hundreds of industry leaders were on hand in the Great Hall of Chicago's Union Station on Saturday night, May 17, as Kevin Hochman, CEO & President of Brinker International was awarded the 2025 Gold Plate Award from the IFMA The Food Away from Home Association. Hochman was nominated in the Chain Full Service category by The Coca Cola Company and selected from the eight honorees who took home Silver Plate awards this year. Hochman became CEO and President of Brinker International, Inc., in 2022. Brinker is one of the world's leading casual dining companies and home of Chili's® Grill & Bar, and Maggiano's Little Italy®. Brinker-owned restaurants serve about 800,000 guests daily, with a workforce of 70,000+. Under Hochman's leadership, the company's market capitalization has increased to over $7 billion. Hochman was introduced at the awards ceremony by his mentor, Dave Goebel, Chairman of Jack in the Box, who told the attending crowd that 'The combination of Kevin's intellectual capacity, his spirit of inclusiveness, his transparency and authenticity, his heart and genuine concern for the thousands of Chiliheads and Maggiano's team members is core to his success, what brings him here this evening and will serve those brands well for years to come.' In accepting the Gold Plate, Hochman thanked the many people who have supported him, from his mother, wife, and family to his colleagues and mentors. He said that, reflecting on the great success of Chili's led him to three important realizations, 'One: Dining out is not dead…eating out is as relevant as ever for consumers. Two: If you can do the fundamentals well…you can make your operation a success. And Three: Listen to the front lines. Those closest to the customer can help you make better decisions.' For 71 years, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association has presented awards to extraordinary foodservice operators through the Gold & Silver Plate Awards, the most respected awards program in foodservice. Each year, the group solicits nominations from across the industry and a distinguished jury of industry experts weighs the merits of candidates who represent a variety of foodservice segments. Selected honorees receive a Silver Plate Award, and one is then chosen by secret ballot to receive the Gold Plate Award for overall industry excellence. Past Gold Plate winners include Danny Meyer (2000), Van Eure (2004), Charlie Trotter (2008), Timothy J. Dietzler (2010), Wolfgang Puck (2017), Regynald G. Washington (2019), Antionette Watkins (2021), Lance Trenary (2022), Jessica Shelly (2023), and Chris Tomasso (2024). In addition to Hochman, 2025 Silver Plate recipients are: Geoff Alexander, President and CEO of Wow Bao, in the category of Grocery, Convenience, & Specialty Retail, nominated by Ecolab Ryan Conklin, Director & Executive Chef Culinary and Nutrition Services at UNC Health Rex, in the category of Healthcare, nominated by ITW Food Equipment Group Gary Crompton, President & CEO of Aramark Workplace Experience Group, in the category of Business & Industry / Foodservice Management, nominated by PepsiCo Whitney Ellersick, Executive Director for Nutrition Services at Hillsboro School District, in the category of Elementary & Secondary Schools, nominated by Nestlé Professional Solutions Patti Klos, Director of Dining Services at Tufts University, in the category of Colleges & Universities, nominated by ITW Food Equipment Group Richard Schneider, Chief Development Officer at Areas USA, in the category of Travel & Leisure Foodservice, nominated by Ecolab, Hormel Foods, and Nestlé Professional Solutions Michael Skipworth, President and CEO of Wingstop, in the category of Chain Limited Service, nominated by Ecolab and Tyson Foods 'It was an honor to present the Gold Plate to Kevin Hochman this year,' said Phil Kafarakis, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association's President & CEO. 'All our winners are nominated by food, beverage, and equipment manufacturer partners who know their stories first-hand. It's a remarkable class of honorees that proves the point that our entire industry is interconnected and stronger together. And it's exciting to realize that these leaders will continue their relationship with us through the Gold & Silver Plate Society, made up of all past award winners.' The black-tie celebration for the 2025 Silver Plate Class was attended by hundreds of food-away-from-home leaders and luminaries and emceed by the 2022 Gold Plate honoree and CEO of Golden Corral, Lance Trenary. The event opened with the presentation of the National Restaurant Association's Legends Award, presented to Past Golden Corral CEO, Ted Fowler. Trenary spoke from the heart in honoring Fowler, 'I have had the privilege of having a front row seat to this man's life and as my mentor, my friend, my confidant, my fellow foodie, and my fly-fishing buddy so I can honestly say, I am grateful beyond words.' IFMA The Food Away from Home Association is currently soliciting candidates for the 2026 Silver Plate Awards. Nominations will be accepted through September. The 2026 Gold & Silver Plate Awards Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026. For more information, visit About IFMA The Food Away from Home AssociationIFMA The Food Away from Home Association is a trade association founded in 1952. The organization empowers, nurtures, and connects an inclusive and diverse $1.5 trillion food-away-from-home ecosystem of manufacturers, distributors, operators, and others. By sharing insights, fostering best practices, and developing networking and educational opportunities through events, IFMA The Food Away from Home Association informs and instructs its members, and motivates change to improve both individual organizations and the food-away-from-home industry at large. For more information, visit
