Press Releases
Ted Balestreri Honored at the Italian Heritage Society Annual Awards Dinner
Monterey, California – Restaurant industry veteran Ted Balestreri, Chairman and CEO of the Cannery Row Company and co-owner of the Sardine Factory restaurant in Monterey, California was honored by the Italian Heritage Society at the Annual Honorees Dinner held at the Monterey Marriott on Friday, January 26th.
Since 2002, the Italian Heritage Society has recognized notable individuals connected to the Italian community at the Annual Honorees Dinner. The honorees are those whose contributions and achievements have enhanced and improved Monterey for all residents. They have made the community an even better place to live, earning them a place in local history. In addition to Balestreri, Italian Americans Erasmo Aiello, Marietta Marcuzzo Bain, and Rich Pepe were honored at the event.
Balestreri was introduced by friend and Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta who spoke about Balestreri's humble beginnings, and his lifelong commitment and generous contributions to the restaurant and tourism industries.
Tirelessly dedicated to the development of the hospitality industry both on the Monterey Peninsula and throughout the United States, Ted has served as President of the California Restaurant Association and Monterey County Hospitality Association. He was Chairman of the National Restaurant Association, the U.S. Culinary Team Foundation and Chairman of Distinguished Restaurants of North America.
Ted was appointed as a Commissioner of the California Travel and Tourism Commission and served through 2007, the longest-seated Tourism Commissioner in the State's history. He sits on the Board of the World Travel & Tourism Council. In 2016 he was appointed to the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which reports to the Secretary of Commerce.
Balestreri's contributions to the foodservice industry have resulted in many awards including the National Restaurant Association's Inaugural Legends Award, the IFMA Gold Plate Award, The Ellis Island Medal of Honor, and induction into the Distinguished Restaurants of North America Hall of Fame. He received Restaurant Hospitality magazine's Hall of Fame Award and the Golden Plate Award from the Academy of Achievement, a non-profit group dedicated to the education and inspiration of youth across the country. He was also voted one of the "50 Power Players in America" in the foodservice industry by top trade publication Nations Restaurant News.
His awards and achievements in the hospitality, business, and tourism industries are extensive, and include the prestigious Hall of Leaders Award given by the Travel Industry Association of America, as well as various humanitarian awards.
About Cannery Row
Cannery Row was made famous in John Steinbeck's classic novel depicting life in the "the sardine capital of the world." Today, Cannery Row is a beautiful waterfront playground where visitors from all over the world seek a California getaway as authentic as the coast itself. Cannery Row was named “One of the Seven Wonders of Monterey County” by the Monterey County Herald readers. Cannery Row remains a treasure of California's Central Coast, where a discovery awaits every type of visitor. For more information, visit the official Cannery Row website at www.canneryrow.com.
About The Sardine Factory
Established in 1968, The Sardine Factory is known for its impeccable service, wonderful décor, extraordinary wine collection, fresh locally grown produce, delicious sustainable seafood, and USDA prime beef. Over the years The Sardine Factory has hosted celebrities, movie stars, sports legends, and public figures from all over the world. The restaurant was also one of the locations for the first film directed by Clint Eastwood, Play Misty for Me. The Sardine Factory has received virtually every culinary, wine list and service award possible in the industry, including the Wine Spectator’s Grand Award, Restaurant Hospitality's Best Wine List in America, voted the Best Restaurant in Monterey by readers of the Monterey County Weekly, Monterey County Herald, and Carmel Pine Cone newspapers, named Top Ten Most Romantic Restaurants on the Central Coast by Open Table, in addition to many other honors and awards. For more information, please visit sardinefactory.com.