Bruno Serato of Anaheim White House named National Restaurant Association's 2005 Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year; Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) attended award ceremony


(Washington, DC) The National Restaurant Association today announced that Bruno Serato, owner of Anaheim White House in Anaheim, Calif., was named the Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year as part of the Association's seventh annual Restaurant Neighbor Award for his dedication to helping underprivileged children. Serato was presented the award and a prize of $5,000 to continue his community outreach by Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) during a Capitol Hill awards ceremony during the National Restaurant Association's 20th annual Public Affairs Conference in Washington, DC. The prestigious national award aims to inspire restaurateurs to become involved with their local communities by honoring individuals who make significant contributions to serve people in need.

"We are all impressed by the extraordinary efforts of Bruno Serato and are very pleased to present him with our Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year award," said Steven C. Anderson, Association president and chief executive officer. "Bruno's commitment to children in his community is a gift that keeps on giving as a child grows into adulthood. Providing opportunities for these children to get a nutritious meal and worthwhile after-school activities help give them the right start in life."

"Bruno Serato of the Anaheim White House has helped so many children by founding Caterina's Girls Club and through his work with the Boys & Girls Club of Anaheim," said Jot Condie, president and CEO of the California Restaurant Association. "He makes sure that underprivileged youth know that someone cares about them. We are honored to have Bruno as a member of the CRA and wholeheartedly congratulate him on earning the Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year award."

Serato has catered to celebrities, but says his favorite customers are the "motel kids" who dine on the Anaheim White House's fare at the Anaheim Boys & Girls Club. These children have parents who are unable to provide homes, meals or caretakers during after-school hours and live day-to-day in motels. Serato provides them with a place to go, a delicious warm meal, and a reminder that there are people who care.

Serving on the Anaheim Boys & Girls Club board of directors, Serato has been a generous contributor to the Boys & Girls Club, providing a meal six days a week for 70 children at no cost. In 2001, Serato created an annual luncheon to raise money for the Boys & Girls Club, and has so far raised $70,000.

Serato says his mother Caterina taught him never to turn away kids—a shared mission of the Boys & Girls Club—and in 2003, he founded "Caterina's Girls Club" in her honor. The Club has since raised $35,000 and acquired a 12-passenger van used to pick up "motel kids" and bring them to afternoon activities and dinner. Tutoring, music lessons, dental services and medical transport are also provided through Caterina's Club.

Serato emigrated from Northern Italy to California as a dishwasher in 1980, with just $200 in his pocket and no knowledge of the English language. He worked his way up in the restaurant industry and now runs one of Southern California's premier restaurants, which received three stars from the esteemed Mobil Guide. He was also named "Restaurateur of the Year" by the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association.

Restaurants from each participating state were selected to compete for the national Restaurant Neighbor Award (large business and small business categories) and the Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year, which is awarded to an individual who is an exemplary model of one who is personally dedicated to community service. This year, a new category was added, the national corporate category, to recognize multi-unit restaurant companies for nationwide efforts. The national winners each receive $5,000 to help continue its community programs. A profile of the community-service efforts of each national and state winner will be highlighted in a booklet, as well as on the Association's Web site, www.restaurant.org/community. American Express is the founding partner of the program.

"American Express is proud to be the founding partner of the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Neighbor Award and recognize restaurants that go above and beyond in community service," said Hans Lindh, vice president, Restaurant Industry Group, American Express. "Restaurants are often among the first to reach out to those in need, like so many did in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and help mobilize local communities to raise funds and donate food."

The 2005 Restaurant Neighbor Award small business winner is Palmer Place in LaGrange, Ill., the large business winner is Runza Restaurants in Lincoln, Neb., and the national corporate winner is Arby's, LLC, in Atlanta, Ga.

For more information on Bruno Serato, Palmer Place Restaurant, Runza Restaurants and Arby's, LLC, or the Restaurant Neighbor Award, please contact the National Restaurant Association at media@dineout.org or (202) 973-3677, or visit www.restaurant.org/community.