Restaurateur of the Year Winner
EPIC Restaurant
Jaime Keating, co-owner/chef + Melissa Keating, co-owner
If you’re in Columbus, a meal at EPIC is a must. It’s the only restaurant outside of Atlanta in Georgia to be awarded the Four Diamond AAA Award and has received that recognition for the past nine years in a row.
Jamie Keating, co-owner and chef, and Melissa Keating, co-owner, focus on the positive in ever facet of what it takes to run a successful restaurant, from encouraging team members to grow in their careers to creating a welcoming environment for guests.
EPIC is entwined with its community, donating money, goods, time and talent to too many organizations to names, including Animal SOS, the American Cancer Society, the Children’s Miracle Network, Habitat Humanity, and numerous local schools and foundations. As Jamie says, “we have a hard time saying no.”
“Our guests feel welcomes, loved, comfortable and values. We pay attention to detail, we listen, we learn, we educate and we give back to the community that always supports us.” —Jamie Keating
Restaurateur of the Year Finalists
Buckhead Life Restaurant Group
I. Pano Karatassos, founder + CEO, Pano I. Karatassos, co-president, Niko I. Karatassos, co-president
From the first restaurant, Pano’s and Paul’s in 1979 to Buckhead Diner and 103 West, Buckhead Life Restaurant Group’s restaurants have become landmarks in Atlanta’s culinary scene over the past 40 years. Today, they run six restaurants, including Bistro Niko and Kyma in Atlanta, and three concepts in South Florida.
Sons Pano I. Karatassos, co-president and corporate executive chef, and Niko Karatassos, co-president, operate the restaurant group with their father, founder and CEO I. Pano Karatassos, who they consider their mentor. The company also finds time to support philanthropic initiatives including the Wounded Warrior Project and No Kid Hungry.
“Always remember that the guest list is No. 1 and that everybody you hire and train understands that. Train them with enthusiasm to serve and cook the best food.” —I. Pano Karatassos
Fork U Concepts
Scott + Alexis Kinsey, co-owners
Scott and Alexis Kinsey opened their first restaurant location in 2011. Now, Fork U Concepts includes 5 brands—including Taqueria Tsunami and Stockyard Burgers & Bones—and 15 locations around Georgia, with more set to open next year.
Whenever a restaurant opens in a new market, the pair puts an emphasis on being a part of that community and giving back to local schools and initiatives. In addition, a portion of the taco sales from Taqueria Tsunami is donated to the Georgia Red Cross every year.
“There is never a dull moment, and boredom is a non-issue. The pace of the restaurant industry keeps us on our toes and the people that work with us make it entertaining and fun. Mostly, I love talking to guests about our concepts and seeing them light up when they talk about the food and service.” —Scott + Alexis Kinsey
NaanStop
Neal Idnani, CEO + Samir Idnani, CFO
Brothers Neal (CEO) and Samir (CAFO) Idnani first lanunched a food truck in Los Angeles in 2011, serving accessible Indian food based on their grandmother’s recipes. After moving to Atlanta to be closer to family and grow the concept, there are now three locations of NaanStop across the metro area.
The pair partner with local grassroots community organizations to create pop-up stores and donate a protion of the proceeds, raising nearly $40,000 for schools, domestic violence support, food insecurity and more. They are also dedicated to making it easier for others to develop a career in the restaurant industry. They do their part in creating a GM to franchise program, implemented a four-day work week for a better work/life balance and offering continued leadership development, education and engaging promotion opportunities.
“We are all more alike than we are different, and often we are reminded of that face over a shared meal.” —Neal and Samir Idnani
