The Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) announced the winners of its 2025 Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards at a ceremony held on December 8 at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. The annual GRACE Awards Gala honors individuals and organizations for their contributions to Georgia’s restaurant industry.
This year, the Restaurateur of the Year award was presented to I. Pano Karatassos, Pano I. Karatassos, and Niko I. Karatassos of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group in Atlanta. The family has long been recognized for setting high standards in hospitality through their various dining concepts.
Other finalists for this category included Scott McCray from LEAD Hospitality; Feroz Delawalla representing Louisiana Bistreaux and Malone’s Steak & Seafood; and Tal Baum from Oliva Restaurant Group.
Kyle Bryner of Blue Hound Barbecue in Dillard received the Emerging Restaurateur of the Year award. Other nominees were Hudson Terrell (The Animal Farm and Gabagool Italian, Columbus), Erika Council (Bomb Biscuit Co., Atlanta), and Arnaldo Castillo (Tio Lucho’s, Atlanta).
Brad and Hav Usry from Fat Man’s Café & Catering in Augusta were named Hospitality Heroes of the Year for their community support during crises such as Hurricanes Debby and Helene.
Gas South was recognized as Industry Partner of the Year for its ongoing support to restaurants across Georgia.
Additional honors announced prior to the event included Nathan Martin from Ted’s Montana Grill in Peachtree City as Restaurant Manager of the Year, Brian Boyle from Atlanta Fish Market as Restaurant Employee of the Year, and a posthumous recognition for Traci Heller from Hudson Grille.
Hall of Fame inductees included Claude Guillaume, known for his leadership at Ritz-Carlton properties and Paradies Lagardère; George McKerrow, co-founder of both LongHorn Steakhouse and Ted’s Montana Grill; and I. Pano Karatassos, founder and CEO of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group.
Philip J. Hickey Jr., with over five decades in hospitality leadership roles including co-founding Rio Bravo Mexican Grill and serving as chairman at Miller’s Ale House, received this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Winners are selected by past honorees along with members of GRA’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board. Recipients receive crystal works created by local artist Hans Godo Fräbel. Governor Brian Kemp was also honored with the 2025 GRA Chairman’s Award during the event.
“Georgia’s restaurant community is built by extraordinary people whose passion and resilience uplift our entire state,” said Stephanie Fischer, GRA President and CEO. “It is an honor to recognize their achievements and celebrate the excellence they bring each day. Their contributions fuel local economies, strengthen neighborhoods and reflect the very best of Georgia hospitality.”
