Anyone who has dined at Seattle’s Union, Tavolata, How to Cook a Wolf or Anchovies & Olives already knows that restaurateur, chef and WRA member Ethan Stowell is a shining star. Seems the Puget Sound Business Journal agrees. Stowell has been named to the publication’s annual 40 Under 40 List–a roundup of the region’s brightest business leaders.

More than 500 individuals were nominated and 232 people applied for what is one of Puget Sound Business Journal’s premier awards.

According the the PSBJ:

To become an honoree, the 40 selected individuals have accomplished great things in their company, their industry and in their community. Of course, all had to be 39 years of age or younger through Sept. 30, 2010. All of the applicants had to articulate those accomplishments in an essay-form application. The judges — eight men and women from all walks of the business community — then read, scored and deliberated for more than half a day to select the honorees.

We will reveal the fruits of these labors in the 40 Under 40 special publication in the Sept. 10 issue of the Business Journal. And you can join us as we celebrate their accomplishments with an honoree bash and award ceremony at Showbox SoDo on Sept. 22. Click here to RSVP.

Washington restaurant owners aren’t really ones to bite their tongues when it comes to issues that affect their businesses. So, it was no surprise really when industry heavyweights Tom Douglas (Palace Kitchen), Chad McKay (El Gaucho) and Pete Hanning (Red Door) submitted an opinion column on liquor privatization that was published recently in the Puget Sound Business Journal.

Tom, Chad and Pete make strong arguments in favor of Initiative 1100, which aims to end the state’s monopoly on liquor sales, giving business owners the opportunity to work within a free-market system that allows them to negotiate for the best possible price.

It’s a simple concept that works in every other aspect of the industry. Take a look at the column here, and be proud of your fellow restaurateurs for speaking out on this pivotal issue.

More good news on this front: earlier this week Secretary of State Sam Reed certified Initiative 1100, placing the measure on November’s ballot.

On any other month, you’d be receiving your monthly copy of The Front Burner magazine right around this time. This month is a little different.

We’ve spent the last several months working on a special health care edition of the magazine, designed to familiarize you with the requirements of the newly passed legislation.

During the editorial process, we consulted numerous experts, stakeholders and legislators to ensure the accuracy and readability of the material. Along the way, updates to the law occurred, interpretations evolved and clarifications were made.

We wanted to make sure that everything you read in this issue is as timely and accurate as possible, so we made a tough decision. We decided to hang onto the magazine for an extra week just to make sure everything is ship-shape, and we believe the result is a useful resource for your restaurant to use when determining how your business may be affected by the new law.

The extra time was simply necessary in order to publish to most up-to-date information. While specifics are still be hammered out and certain aspects of the law are in flux, this issue of The Front Burner is a solid starting point for understanding an issue that is admittedly pretty complex.

We are committed to keeping you updated with new information as we receive it. In the meantime, you can expect your copy of the magazine in about a week.

Thanks for your patience; we think the extra time really paid off. Don’t hesitate to contact the WRA office at 800.225.7166 with any questions you may have about health care reform.

We are proud to help you succeed!

Several news outlets have reported on the scam circulating in the restaurant community. Be aware so you can protect your business.

by CHRIS DANIELS / KING 5 News

TACOMA, Wash. – Are scammers preying on unsuspecting restaurant employees in an attempt to get private information?

That’s one of the questions on the mind of leaders at the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department after complaints were filed Monday.

Dr. Anthony Chen, the Director of Health at the TPC Health Department, says someone has called up restaurants in Bonney Lake and Lakewood posing as a food inspector and “demanding information, personal information.”

However, Chen says, “it’s not something we as a department would do.”

The callers have been threatening employees with $5,000 in fines if they don’t comply.

Chen says his inspectors show up unannounced at restaurants and don’t call in advance.

The scheme is similar to another in Snohomish County last week, where seven restaurants complained of bogus inspector calls.

Chen says any employee concerned about the phone calls should call his department or the Federal Trade Commission:

Tacoma Pierce County Health Department: 253-798-6045

Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov/phonefraud): 877-382-4357

Modernize Washington, an advocacy group for the privatization of liquor sales in Washington state, announced today that more than 380,000 signed petitions have been collected in support of Initiative 1100. The WRA supports this I-1100 and the competitive market it would yield if approved by Washington voters in November. First, the goal is to ensure this initiative is placed on the ballot. Below is the news release distributed today by Modernize Washington.

Restaurants, hold tight! Your options for liquor purchasing may be headed for a positive change.

Secretary of State Washington
June 23, 2010

Voters in Washington have clearly spoken.

Modernize Washington is pleased to announce the submission of more than 381,985 signatures to Initiative 1100. A Yes vote on 1100 would terminate an inefficient, prohibition-era era spirits distribution bureaucracy to focus the Liquor Control Board on what they should be doing: enforcing liquor laws and educating against abuse. And, if passed, only I-1100 would establish a 21st century free and competitive spirits marketplace for both consumers and retailers across our state.

Voters should be clear that I-1105 – which is still looking for signatures – is sponsored by out-of-state liquor distributors that do not want this option for Washington State. A Yes vote 1100 will create jobs in the private sector while allowing the Legislature to retain the power to tax alcohol so that Yes 1100 is
revenue neutral.

Modernize Washington is joined today by representatives of the North West Grocers Association, the Washington Restaurant Association and the Family Wineries of Washington.

Please visit our website to view the relevant facts about Initiative 1100.

Contact: Sharon Gilpin 206.780.9115 for further comment.