San Diego, CA – The California Restaurant Association, considered the voice of the California restaurant and hospitality industry invite the public to attend the premier culinary awards dinner and auction, the 23rd, Annual Gold Medallion Awards Dinner and Auction.

The 2007 gala will be held on Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 at the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center. This annual gala recognizes culinary excellence throughout San Diego County and is attended by more than 1,200 of San Diego ’s restaurant and hospitality industry professionals.

The restaurant industry is the largest private employer in California, representing more than 1.4 million jobs. Restaurants produce more than $54 billion in sales annually and generate more than $4.5 billion in sales tax for the state. These statistics are key in keeping San Diego ’s thriving visitor and tourism industry alive.

The Gold Medallion Awards Banquet will honor the Restaurateur of the Year, Chef of the Year, People's Choice Winner, Associate Member of the Year in small and large categories and over 40 awards for the 'best of the best' in fine dining and casual dining award categories. Now the largest and longest serving non-profit restaurant trade association in the nation, the CRA annually raises thousands of dollars for education programs through the Gold Medallion Awards Banquet and Auction.

The auction portion of the evening will raise vital funds for Morse, Mira Mesa, San Diego , Garfield and Mt. Miguel high schools culinary arts programs in addition to various member education projects. For information on tickets and sponsorships to this year’s black tie gala, please contact Tina Summers at the California Restaurant Association San Diego County Chapter Tel: (619) 297-8200 | Fax: (619) 297-8210 www.calrest.org for more information.