This Memorial Day weekend, restaurants across the state of Maryland will have “Missing Man” tables set in their dining rooms to honor the American soldiers who have lost their lives or are still missing in action while serving their country.  These tables are also referred to as a MIA/POW table, Empty table or Fallen Comrade table.
 
The Missing Man table is a permanent place of honor found in military dining facilities that are also set up during service balls and other military dining occasions.  The tradition of setting a separate table in honor of fallen and missing soldiers has been in place since the end of the Vietnam War.  The manner in which the table is decorated is full of special symbols to help us remember the sacrifice these men, women and their families have given to their country.
 
As families and friends get together this holiday weekend, restaurants across the state will have Missing Man tables set up to remind their customers of those we have lost.  The Restaurant Association of Maryland led the effort to educate restaurants on the meaning of the Missing Man table and encouraged their members to participate. 
 
Marshall Weston, President & CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland, commented that “Restaurants are the cornerstones of their communities.  They often donate to numerous charitable causes and most offer discounts to military and other service members to thank them for what they do to protect us.  The Missing Man table is just another way for restaurants to recognize and honor them, while also reminding customers of their sacrifice”.

Click the READ MORE button to see how the Missing Man Table is set up and a list of restaurants participating.

​Camera systems, when properly designed, installed, maintained, and utilized, can serve to effectively aid you in deterring, identifying, and alerting to unwanted scenarios to include misconduct and theft. Follow our Do’s and Don’ts below to assure a best practice program which contributes favorably to your organization’s physical security stance.
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A recent letter to the editor regarding the proposed $15 minimum wage (“Atwater: $15 wage is good for business,” March 28) compels me to clarify that the writer’s perspective on this issue does not reflect the broader restaurant industry’s views.

Most restaurants strongly oppose a $15 starting wage because it would be unsustainable for our industry to pay such high wages for low-skill, entry-level jobs. Moreover, such a high starting wage would force employers to also increase wages for veteran employees to maintain the pay differentials between newer and more experienced staff. This reality compounds the higher labor costs associated with such a wage mandate.

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The Restaurant Association of Maryland spent countless hours trying to educate the Baltimore City Council about how a styrofoam ban would significantly hurt the foodservice industry while achieving no real benefit to the city.

Our points have been echoed by Casey Jenkins, owner of Darker Than Blue Cafe.  Read his Guest Opinion in the Maryland Reporter Here.

Governor Larry Hogan invites chefs using local Maryland ingredients to submit original recipes for the Governor’s Buy Local Cookout, which will be held at Government House in Annapolis on July 19. Recipes must be submitted by May 18, and include products from at least one Maryland farmer, waterman, or other producer.
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Chefs are encouraged to submit simple but creative recipes that showcase ways the average Maryland family can prepare delicious, nutritious meals with locally produced food at home.

Culinary high school and college teams are encouraged to submit recipes. Student teams submitting blue catfish recipes may be eligible to receive a donation of blue catfish from Chester River Clam Company if they are selected to participate in the Governor’s cookout (limited to one high school and one college team).

Click Here for the press release with more information

The Restaurant Association of Maryland exists to promote, protect and improve the foodservice and hospitality industry in Maryland.  Sexual harassment, harassment of any type and discrimination are wrong and not tolerated by the members of our Association.  We are strongly committed to providing a positive workplace environment and experience for all of our employees.

Resources regarding harassment and discrimination are available with our partners at the National Restaurant Association and the EEOC.
 
www.restaurant.org/News-Research/News/Workplace_harassment_resources

www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/promising-practices.cfm

eeotraining.eeoc.gov/profile/web/index.cfm?PKwebID=0x25479b9f&varPage=attendee

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The Restaurant Association of Maryland is aware of the accusations against Mike Isabella and the strong denial he has issued in response.  Sexual harassment, harassment of any type and discrimination are wrong and not tolerated by the members of our Association.  We are strongly committed to providing a positive workplace environment and experience for all of our employees.  Even though the facts of this case are yet to be determined, RAM believes in due process and justice for all parties involved.  However, the RAM Board of Directors feel that this accusation is detracting from the integrity of the Restaurateur of the Year award.  Therefore, Mike Isabella has been removed from consideration as a finalist this year.

RAM will host an information seminar on Maryland’s new sick leave law, presented by a labor law attorney from Franklin & Prokopik.  We will be discussing the specifics of the new law and how to ensure that your restaurant stays in compliance.

Space is limited! YOU MUST RSVP in order for you and/or your management team to attend. Space will be reserved and confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. See all details below.

WHEN:               Monday, March 19th – 10am to 12pm
WHERE:             Restaurant Association of Maryland
                           6301 Hillside Court
                           Columbia, MD 21046
MUST RSVP:     Email mthompson@marylandrestaurants.com or call 443-539-2455