Volunteers from OSI Restaurant Partners Feed Troops in Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan
Kelly Beyer, Operating Partner for Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar in Lincolnshire; and Chris Auld, Managing Partner for Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine in Chicago recently completed a trip to Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan as volunteers with Operation Feeding Freedom VIII, an annual mission sponsored by OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC. Beyer and Auld from the Chicago area joined 26 other OSI volunteers from around the country who brought United States and Coalition Forces a taste of home. This year’s trip represented the largest feeding of the troops to date by OSI and involved volunteers from all five of the Company’s brands: Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, and Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine.
The initial Operation Feeding Freedom was in 2002 and involved a team of Outbackers who traveled to Afghanistan to feed troops stationed there. To date, over 150 volunteers from OSI have made a total of eight trips serving troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Djibouti, Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkey, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and aboard the USS Nimitz in the Persian Gulf. Overall, 167,000 troops have been served at numerous bases and forward command locations. “OSI has a long history of providing support to our troops both here at home and abroad,” said Liz Smith, Chief Executive Officer of OSI Restaurant Partners. “This annual mission has proven to be a valuable experience for all of our volunteers and a huge morale boost to the troops. Good food is an everyday comfort at home and they enjoy having the opportunity to serve a few of our classic signature dishes to those serving so far away from home and their loved ones. It is indeed an honor for all of us at OSI to pay tribute to these brave men and women who are defending freedom overseas.”
“This operation was made possible through the support of United States Central Command and the Services. They have worked hand in hand with us over the past eight years in providing logistical support and military escorts during the trip to ensure our team’s safety,” said Dave Alvarado, OSI Team Leader for Operation Feeding Freedom. “Additionally, OSI is appreciative of the significant contributions made by our purveyors and vendors. Through their generosity, the menu featured Bloomin’ Onions, Calamari, Boule Bread with Herbs and Olive Oil, Cavatappi Amatriciana, Chargrilled Steaks, Ravioli and Cheesecake for dessert.” Operation Feeding Freedom is part of OSI’s ongoing commitment to support the troops. Earlier this year and with the help of its customers, Outback Steakhouse donated $1 Million to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization providing everyday and emergency support for active troops, veterans, and their families.
About OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC
OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC, headquartered in Tampa, Florida, was founded in 1988 by a group of people who believe in hospitality, sharing, quality, being courageous and having fun! Today, the portfolio of brands consists of Outback Steakhouse restaurants throughout the United States, as well as Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine. OSI is one of the largest casual dining restaurant companies in the world. The company operates in 49 states and its Outback Steakhouse brand has restaurants in 22 countries around the world.
About Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse was recently voted #1 Best Steak in the 2010 Zagat Survey of National Full-Service Restaurant Chains for the second consecutive year. Outback Steakhouse starts fresh every day to create the flavors that our mates crave. Best known for grilled steaks, chicken and seafood, Outback also offers a wide variety of crisp salads and freshly made soups and sides. New creations and grilled classics are made from scratch daily using only the highest quality ingredients sourced from around the world. For more information, please visit www.outback.com, http://www.facebook.com/outback and http://www.twitter.com/outback_tonight.
About Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola founded the first Carrabba’s Italian Grill in 1986 in Houston, Texas. Today, there are 232 Carrabba’s Italian Grill locations around the country, run by passionate local proprietors focused on delighting guests with fresh, made-to-order Italian cuisine and the ultimate dining experience. Carrabba’s serves dinner seven nights a week in a casual environment that pairs innovative dishes and a complementary wine list with abundant hospitality. For on-the-go guests, Carrabba’s also offers convenient Carside Carry-Out. To learn more about Carrabba’s, please visit www.carrabbas.com.
About Bonefish Grill
As the "Fresh Fish Experts," Bonefish Grill specializes in market-fresh fish and other wood-grilled specialties. Knowledgeable and attentive Bonefish Grill Anglers (our service staff) provide the best in what we like to call “chef’s coat service.” Our Anglers pride themselves on guiding our guests’ journey through our innovative, seasonal menu and specials, which feature only the highest-quality, freshest ingredients, including traditional and unique varieties of fish and seafood as well as numerous non-seafood items. We combine this with a big city bar that offers bar fresh cocktails and an affordable, interesting wine list.
Recently named “Best Seafood” and “Top Service” category winner in the 2010 Zagat Survey of National Chain Restaurants and “Best Seafood Restaurant in the Nation” by a leading consumer product guide, Bonefish Grill has locations across the country and prides itself on the local feel of each restaurant. For more information on Bonefish Grill, visit www.bonefishgrill.com, facebook.com/BonefishGrill or follow us on Twitter via @bonefishgrill.
About Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Nationally acclaimed Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar offers the best in steakhouse dining – Prime meats and chops, fresh fish and poultry, generous salads and side orders—with a unique wine list known as the “Fleming’s 100™” that features 100 wines served by the glass. Fleming’s was launched in Newport Beach, California in 1998 by successful restaurant industry veterans Paul Fleming and Bill Allen. Today there are 64 restaurants nationwide. Fleming’s is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including Wine Spectator’s annual Awards of Excellence, and Wine Enthusiast’s annual Awards of Distinction. For more information about Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and the Fleming’s 100, please visit www.FlemingsSteakhouse.com.
About Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion® Cuisine
First introduced in Honolulu by James Beard award winner Chef Roy Yamaguchi, Roy’s has become well known throughout the world for its Hawaiian Fusion® Cuisine featuring the freshest local ingredients, European sauces and bold Asian spices, with a focus on seafood. For more information, please visit www.roysrestaurant.com.
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