Foodservice execs gather for MFHA symposium on diversity

Nation's Restaurant News, Nov 14, 2005 by Dina Berta

Atlanta--More than 300 people attended a recent symposium on diversity in the restaurant industry hosted by the MultiCultural Foodservice & HospitalityAlliance at the Marriott Marquis here.

"Straight Talk: Lessons Learned and Best Practices" encouraged plenty of audience participation as restaurant and foodservice executives engaged in lively discussions on ways to improve the representation of women and minorities within companies and also how to better serve and market to diverse communities.

Keynote speakers began with author and editor Helen Zia and concluded with former restaurant executive Herman Cain.

The day before, MFHA presented its Showcase of the Stars at Georgia State University. The event brought together high school students from the Atlanta area to meet foodservice executives and learn about careers in the industry.

Also during the conference, MFHA and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation presented scholarships to college students studying hospitality, including: Michael Belton Jr., Johnson & Wales University, Miami Campus; Jennifer Kerr, University of Cincinnati; Sheng Yang, California State University, Long Beach; Derrick Floyd, University of New Orleans; and Luis Cortez, California State University, Long Beach.