Member Moments

Proudly Recognizing North Carolina’s Hospitality Leaders

Remembering Industry Legends

The hospitality industry has lost a few legends recently.

Floye Dombalis, the matriarch of Raleigh’s oldest restaurant Mecca and longtime NCRLA member, died at the age of 96 in April. For nearly 50 years, Dombalis ran Mecca with her husband John, becoming the face of the Raleigh dining landmark.

James Holcomb, the Director of Restaurants at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, also passed away in April. He was awarded NCRLA’s Restaurant Manager of the Year at the 2022 Stars of the Industry gala for his selfless service to others.

And Chef Walter Royal, the esteemed executive chef at the renowned Angus Barn for 26 years, died in May. He worked at several of North Carolina’s finest restaurants including the Fearrington House near Pittsboro and the Magnolia Grill in Durham. It was his high profile at the Angus Barn that led to an appearance on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef” in 2006. Royal not only won the competition that year, but he also posted the highest score ever for the first three seasons.

All three of these legends blazed a trail for us to follow. They will be greatly missed by so very many. May they all rest in peace.

Cheetie Kumar And Paul Siler Unveil New Restaurant Ajja

After the closure of their acclaimed restaurant Garland in downtown Raleigh eight months ago, Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler have unveiled their latest culinary venture, Ajja. Opened in late May, Ajja is a neighborhood eatery specializing in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Southwest Asian flavors. Kumar, a James Beard nominated chef and a member of the NCRLA Board of Directors, shared her excitement about the new concept, describing it as a combination of a garden party and a proper restaurant with multiple engaging spaces.

GOLDEN CORRAL DEBUTS FAST-CASUAL SPINOFF HOMEWARD KITCHEN

After decades as a buffet staple, Golden Corral is entering the fast-casual segment. The new concept, called Homeward Kitchen, will debut in Southern Pines later this year. The new store is designed with a small dining room and dine-in, takeout, and drivethru channels. Golden Corral CEO Lance Trenary said Homeward Kitchen will cater to new customers and expand its existing guest base. “We have a 100-year plan at Golden Corral, and since we just celebrated our 50th anniversary in business, we are only at halftime,” he said in a statement.

The Blood Connection And Carolina Ale House Unite For Community Blood Drives

Hospitality Leaders Featured On Business Nc Power 100 List

Business North Carolina’s annual snapshot of the state’s most influential private sector leaders includes many of the best and brightest in the hospitality industry. The annual recognition was compiled from individual nominations, talking with many sources, undertaking considerable research, and combing through years of coverage in the business community. NCRLA commends all the leaders featured in this issue for their unwavering dedication and remarkable achievements in shaping North Carolina's hospitality landscape.

In a remarkable display of collaboration, The Blood Connection and Carolina Ale House have come together to organize a series of blood drives across 15 locations in the Carolinas and Georgia. By combining the resources and dedication of both organizations, this partnership aims to make a significant impact in saving lives through blood donation. Carolina Ale House, known for its commitment to community support, finds this alliance to be a perfect fit with their mission of nourishing people. Together, they serve as an inspiring example of how a regional restaurant and a local nonprofit can unite for the greater good, making a positive and life-changing difference in people's lives.