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TheBuzz

BY ERIKA ENGLE

Wary not wary of
far-flung travel

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Honolulu restaurateur Ed Wary is having a whirlwind season of travel and talk.

Last month, his sojourning companions were the new leaders of the Hawaii Restaurant Association, Executive Director Michelle Van Hessen and incoming Chairman Bill Puchert, general manager of the Old Spaghetti Factory.

The trio went to Washington, D.C. for the National Restaurant Association's board meeting and public affairs conference. Some 700 restaurants in 42 states were briefed on issues facing the industry; issues each delegation took into meetings with congressional representatives.

The issues include a change to the law governing tips, so that restaurateurs could no longer be held accountable for employees who underreport tip income; an association health plan bill to enable national associations to purchase health coverage for members at lower rates; and improved tax deductions for business meals and spousal travel.

As the Hawaii delegate to the National Restaurant Association, Wary was selected to address the China Hospitality Association's China Cate Festival in Hang Zhou City next month.

While the NRA's annual food service industry convention in Chicago each May attracts 100,000 people, the Chinese convention draws 1.3 million.

"Can you imagine?" he said. "Where do they park?"

The Chinese association contacted the NRA asking to begin a cultural exchange, Wary said.

Wary will talk about trends in the United States restaurant industry. A couple mainland chefs will join Wary's entourage for culinary demonstrations, Wary said, but he'd also like to take a Hawaii chef. The slot has not been filled.

While there Wary may do some concept shopping but said, "I'm certainly going to do some product shopping." He'll be on the lookout for china, silverware and specialty items, pots, pans cleavers and all those things. "I'll also look to see if anyone's interested in setting up some little custard places," referring to his newest eatery, Eddie's Burgers and Frozen Custard.

He'll do the tourist bit in Shanghai and then fly to Hong Kong and see "an old buddy for a golf game."

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Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com