Here Are The Finalists For GA's Restaurant Awards: See List

ATLANTA, GA — Culinary greats will soon take center stage at the 2025 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence Awards.

The GRA recently announced finalists for its annual awards, which will occur Monday, Dec. 8, at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.

“The GRACE Awards celebrate the heart of Georgia’s hospitality community—people who work tirelessly, lead with passion and serve with integrity,” Stephanie Fischer, president and CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association, said in a news release. “Our finalists represent every corner of the state and every segment of the industry, from neighborhood favorites to iconic regional brands. Their resilience, innovation and commitment to service continue to elevate Georgia as a premier dining destination."

According to the GRA, finalists were nominated by their peers in the categories of Restauranteur of the Year, Hospitality Hero of the Year, Restaurant Manager of the Year and Restaurant Employee of the Year.

Selectees were also made for the GRA Hall of Fame and the Georgia on My Mind People's Choice Award. The GRACE Academy will choose the winners.

The top honor will go to the GRACE Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Philip J. Hickey, Jr., co-founder of Cooker Bar and Grille and Green Hills Grille, according to the release.

Hickey has also served as president of Rio Bravo Cantina, chairman and CEO of Rare Hospitality International. (parent company of LongHorn Steakhouse, Bugaboo Creek Steak House and The Capital Grille) and chairman of O’Charley’s.

According to the GRA, he is now the chairman of both Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q and Miller’s Ale House restaurants.

“Phil Hickey is the embodiment of leadership, service and passion for hospitality,” Fischer said in a release. “His vision has shaped iconic restaurant brands, his advocacy has strengthened our industry and his generosity has touched countless lives. We are thrilled to honor him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.”

The GRA advocates for statewide restaurants on the culinary scene, and the yearly awards honor the excellence of those in the industry, according to the release.

Here are the 2025 GRACE Award finalists:

Restauranteur of the Year:

• Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, I. Pano Karatassos, Pano I. Karatassos, and Niko I. Karatassos
• LEAD Hospitality, Scott McCray
• Louisiana Bistreaux and Malone's Steak and Seafood, Feroz Delawalla
• Oliva Restaurant Group, Tal Baum

Emerging Restauranteur of the Year:

• The Animal Farm and Gabagool Italian, Hudson Terrell
• Blue Hound Barbecue, Kyle Bryner
• Bomb Biscuit Co., Erika Council
• Tio Lucho’s, Arnaldo Castillo

Industry Partner of the Year:

• Gas South
• Halperns’ Steak & Seafood
• Sard and Leff

Hospitality Hero of the Year:

• Fat Man's Cafe and Catering, Brad Usry and Hav Usry
• Parker's Kitchen, Greg Parker
• Publix Super Markets – Atlanta Division

Restaurant Manager of the Year:

• Nathan Martin, Ted's Montana Grill (Peachtree City)

Restaurant Employee of the Year:

• Brian Boyle, Atlanta Fish Market (Buckhead Life Restaurant Group)
• Presented posthumously to Traci Heller, Hudson Grille Midtown (Metrotainment Cafes)