Balestreri Classic drives support for NRA scholarship program

Nation's Restaurant News,  April 7, 2008  

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PEBBLE BEACH, CALIF. -- More than 80 of the nation's leading restaurant industry operators and suppliers attended the 16th Annual Ted J. Balestreri Leadership Classic.

The event, hosted by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, included a live wine auction hosted by the Monterey Wine Education Foundation, where the participants' bids resulted in donations of more than $85,000 for the NRAEF's Scholarships Program.

The classic also featured three days of golf on a trio of the country's most respected courses: The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Pebble Beach Golf Links.

"The Ted J. Balestreri Leadership Classic is perhaps one of the most anticipated and exciting events in the industry each year," said Ruben Villavicencio, chairman of the NRAEF Board of Trustees. "Gathering the top industry operators and suppliers from around the country and globe at one of the most beautiful locations on earth, provides the setting for three days of networking, golfing and, most importantly, supporting the future of our industry."

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Ted J. Balestreri, chairman and chief executive officer of The Sardine Factory Restaurant, co-chaired the golf classic with Tim Connor, president and chief executive of TJ Connor Associates.

Corporate sponsors for this year's Ted J. Balestreri Golf Classic included Coca-Cola Foodservice, Ecolab, Nestle Foodservice, American Express, Dunkin' Brands, Sysco Corporation, Tanimura & Antle, Nation's Restaurant News, QSR Magazine and Trinchero Family Estates.

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