Restaurateur of the Year/Hall of Fame Award

Bonefish Grill

The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association has honored Tim Curci and John Cooper of Bonefish Grill with the prestigious 2012 Restaurateur Hall of Fame Award.  The Hall of Fame award is recognized as the Association’s most coveted annual award with contenders having a personal record of industry achievement over a period of at least 20 years.  Nominees must also attain career distinction of the highest level and be held in high esteem for distinguished service to industry, community, charitable organizations and family.

The idea for the restaurant was born from a “great catch.”  Tim Curci and Chris Parker, both avid fishermen, decided to embark on an entrepreneurial adventure after a day of fishing for bonefish. On January 15, 2000 the first Bonefish Grill was born. 

Tim Curci is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has more than 20 years of culinary experience.  Prior to Bonefish, Curci was the Senior Vice-President of Operations for Hops Restaurant Bar and Brewery and handled menu and concept development along with operational systems for more than 60 restaurants in 10 states. While developing the concept, Hops was recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News as one of its “Hot Concepts.” 

In 2001, John Cooper joined forces with Tim and Chris to take their ideas to the next level. John’s career in the industry started with Steak ‘N Ale and Bennigans, and in 1988 he moved to Outback Steakhouse.  Before moving to Bonefish, Cooper was an equity partner in Outback Steakhouse and also the President of Zazarac, a subsidiary of Outback.   John helped expand Bonefish from 3 stores to 158 stores in 29 states.

In 2004, Bonefish sadly lost one of its founders, Chris Parker in a boating accident.  Tim and John continue to honor his memory by keeping the legacy of Bonefish Grill alive and thriving.

Both Tim and John are actively involved in several different philanthropies, including the Outback Steakhouse/ Orlando Magic Youth Foundation Golf Tournament.

At Bonefish, not only is the food good, the concept is award-winning.  Most recently, in late 2011, Bonefish Grill won the highest honors in six categories in the 2011 ZAGAT Survey of National Chain Restaurants including Top Overall Restaurant in the full-service category.

The Hall of Fame Award was presented to Cooper at the FRLA Winter Board Meeting in Destin, Florida in December 2011.  Congratulations Tim and John!