Organizations Join Together to Celebrate Iconic Texas Restaurant
As part of a year-long celebration of the association’s 75th anniversary, the Texas Restaurant Association is partnering with Foodways Texas on an oral history project that will preserve the great stories of iconic Texas restaurants.
“This project presents us with a wonderful way to not only celebrate our 75th anniversary, but to help preserve and promote the stories of some of Texas’ most memorable and iconic restaurants,” said Richie Jackson, TRA CEO. “The restaurants chosen will all have had a significant impact on the industry and our state’s food culture.”
At least eight oral histories will be produced prior to the TRA’s Southwest Foodservice Expo which is June 24 – 25 in Dallas, Texas. Elements of the oral histories will be featured in multi-media presentations and displays on the show floor and at events. The oral histories will also be accessible through an archive housed on the Foodways Texas website.
The first four oral histories will be produced by students in the American Studies program at the University of Texas. The next four will be produced by professional oral historians. According to Elizabeth Engelhardt, associate professor in the Department of American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, and instructor for the oral history project, “These restaurants will have great stories, represent the diversity of the Texas food and restaurant culture and celebrate the racial and ethnic diversity of our state.”
“We view this oral history project as an opportunity to highlight the diverse food cultures of the Lone Star state by way of its thriving and storied restaurant industry,” said Marvin Bendele, Foodways Texas Executive Director. “We expect that through our partnership with the Texas Restaurant Association, we will be able to create an extensive oral history archive that will be utilized by future generations interested in our food and foodways history.”
Texas Restaurant Association:
The Texas Restaurant Association was formed in 1937 to serve as the advocate in Texas and the indispensable resource for the hospitality and foodservice industry. Today, as a leading business association, TRA represents the state’s $38 billion restaurant industry, which is comprised of 35,000 plus locations and a workforce of over one million employees. Along with the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation, the Association represents, educates and promotes the growing industry. www.restaurantville.com.
Foodways Texas:
Foodways Texas is an organization founded in 2010 by scholars, chefs, journalists, restaurateurs, farmers, ranchers, and other citizens of the state of Texas who have made it their mission to preserve, promote and celebrate the diverse food cultures of Texas. http://www.foodwaystexas.com
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