Chicago Gourmet Silent Auction Now Open |
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Bring the Chicago Gourmet experience into your home while benefiting the hospitality industry with our premier online auction.
Featuring elite wine and spirit offerings from Chicago Gourmet presenting sponsor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits – along with memorable culinary adventures, virtual wine and spirits tastings, autographed sports memorabilia, and much more!
One hundred percent of proceeds from our online auction benefit the IRA Educational Foundation, dedicated to building and promoting the health and prosperity of the restaurant industry by investing in Illinois' youth and workforce.
Bid early and bid often for this important cause!
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100,000 Restaurants Closed Six Months into Pandemic
Six months following the first shutdown of restaurants, the industry is in limbo. According to a new survey released by the National Restaurant Association, nearly 1 in 6 restaurants (representing nearly 100,000 restaurants) is closed either permanently or long-term; nearly 3 million employees are still out of work; and the industry is on track to lose $240 billion in sales by the end of the year.
National findings include:
- Consumer spending in restaurants remained well below normal levels in August. Sales were down 34% on average.
- Research estimates at least 100,000 restaurants will close in 2020.
- 60% of operators say their restaurants’ total operational costs (as a % of sales) are higher than they were prior to the pandemic.
State findings from Illinois include:
- Seventy-eight percent of Illinois operators say they don’t expect their restaurant’s sales to return to pre-coronavirus levels within the next six months.
- Fifty-five percent of Illinois operators say it is unlikely their restaurant will still be in business six months from now, if business conditions continue at current levels.
- Sixty-six percent of operators say it is unlikely their restaurant will still be in business six months from now, if there are no additional relief packages from the federal government.
- Overall, 63 percent of Illinois restaurant operators do not expect their staffing levels to return to pre-coronavirus levels within the next six months.
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Get Certified in ServSafe Sanitation Manager Training - IRA Class Schedule Posted Through December
The IRA's Sanitation Manager class schedule has been posted through December 2020. Protect your business and reassure your customers that you are prepared to meet ongoing challenges by having certified Sanitation Managers on staff.
The IRA is your trusted source for training and certification. We are complying with all new safety and social distancing guidelines, and limiting classes to groups of 18 - with seating six feet apart. All attendees will be required to wear a face mask, and bring a #2 pencil for the certification exam.
Our instructors are recognized as leaders in foodservice instruction, and are certified by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the National Restaurant Association.
Sign up today for a class through December 2020, or call (312) 787-4000 to schedule a private class at your location.
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City of Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Grants Now Available
The City of Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund is making $5 million available as small business grants through an eight-week application round that opens today.
Entrepreneurs and non-profit groups on the South, West, and Southwest sides are eligible to apply for grants up to $250,000 to start or grow their businesses here. The application period closes on Friday, Nov. 6.
To help applicants prepare for the application round, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) hosted multiple, bilingual webinars this summer. Two additional informational sessions on the application process will be held online this week.
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Eli's Cheesecake Virtual Happy Hour Supporting IRAEF Employee Relief Fund |
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On Friday, September 25 at 4:00 p.m., peek inside the Eli's Cheesecake bakery to see them make their magnificent 40th Anniversary Ruby Jubilee Cheesecake. Then, "meet" Eli's executive pastry chef, Laurel Boger, who will be creating plating ideas including turning this elegant dessert into a festive Cheesecake Dipper (a chocolate enrobed frozen slice of cheesecake on a stick). The demo is free.
Order your own 9" Ruby Jubilee Cheesecake, serves 14, which can be delivered right to your door prior to the demo or the following week. The cost of the cheesecake is $58.95, plus delivery.
$15 of your purchase will benefit the IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. Click here to order now.
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Please visit our website for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 6:45 p.m. on Monday, September 14.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS |
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