RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, On May 9, 2011, Richard Melman was awarded the 2011 Restaurateur of the Year Award by the James Beard Foundation; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this accomplishment by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, Richard Melman is the Founder and Chairman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, which originated in Chicago and currently operates approximately forty restaurant concepts throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, Richard Melman was nominated for this award for six consecutive years and is its first ever Chicago recipient; and
WHEREAS, Richard Melman's remarkable career as a restaurateur began in 1971 with the opening of R.J. Grunts, and has expanded to include unique spots as Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! and elegant dining establishments as Everest and Tru; and
WHEREAS, Colleagues and restaurant critics alike agree that the recent recognition bestowed on Richard Melman is both well deserved and long overdue; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this eighteenth day of May, 2011, do hereby congratulate Richard Melman on his forty years of success in the dining industry and having been named Restaurateur of the Year, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Richard Melman.
Aldeidman - 14* Ward