Jackson of Great American Restaurants dies

Nation's Restaurant News, March 31, 2008

FALLS CHURCH, VA. -- Bill Jackson, corporate executive chef of Great American Restaurants, based here, died March 1 of complications related to ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. In honor of the chef, GAR named its 10th restaurant, which is under construction in Reston, Va.,"Jackson's Mighty Fine Food & Lucky Lounge."

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Jackson, who joined Great American Restaurants more than 20 years ago, previously was executive chef and managing partner of the company's Carlyle Grand Cafe and Best Buns Bread Co. in Shirlington, Va. Through most of the '80s he was chef of Pano's & Paul's in Atlanta. During his time there, that restaurant was inducted into Nation's Restaurant News' Fine Dining Hall of Fame, won Restaurants & Institution's Ivy Award and was named Best of Atlanta by Atlanta Magazine.

Jackson, who graduated with honors from The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., in 1976, was an American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef.

"Bill exemplified everything that is good about the restaurant business: mentorship, passion for food, quality and service," says Jill Norton, vice president of human resources, design and construction at GAR. "Bill was without prejudice. Everyone was given equal respect. As long as you cared about what you did, he had your back."

The Jackson family requests that donations be made to ALS Association, 7507 Standish Place, Rockville, Md., 20855 or Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Avenue, Annapolis, Md., 21401.