Awards

RJ Melman Named Share Our Strength’s Restaurateur of Year

RJ Melman, honored for chairing Taste of the Nation Chicago.
RJ Melman, honored for chairing Taste of the Nation Chicago. Photo: courtesy Lettuce Entertain You

You often see the name of Share Our Strength mentioned when people in the restaurant industry are doing something for a charitable cause— naturally enough since the organization is dedicated to eliminating childhood hunger in the U.S., not only on the level of making sure every child has food to eat but by ensuring that it’s relatively nutritious food. The primary fundraising event in Chicago is the annual Taste of the Nation Chicago, which this year drew dozens of top chefs, mixologists and corporate sponsors and hundreds of people to Navy Pier to raise $250,000 for the organization.

RJ Melman served as chair of Taste of the Nation Chicago in 2011 after serving as co-chair for the previous two years, and at the organization’s Conference of Leaders on Sunday, he was honored as the Share Our Strength 2011 Chef/Restaurateur of the Year. Melman, son of Lettuce Entertain You founder and chairman of the board Rich Melman, is a partner in Hub 51, Paris Club, and other Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, and was credited by the organization for increasing chef participation, ticket sales and sponsorships by effectively leveraging his company’s position in the local restaurant industry.

RJ Melman Named Share Our Strength’s Restaurateur of Year