Economic Development Blog

Greater Louisville Inc. – The Metro Chamber of Commerce announced today that it is awardingits Thomas Edison Award to Chef Edward Lee. The award celebrates achievements of Louisvillians whose success has brought credit not only to them, but also to the region. His contributions to the community and work to expand the presence and values of GreaterLouisville to a larger audience embody the spirit of Thomas Edison and his work to illuminate the world.

Lee is the chef and co-owner of 610 Magnolia, known for its bold interpretations of Southern fare and focus on farm to table cooking. He has enjoyed recent fame, remainingone of the last standing on “Top Chef: Texas.” Lee has also been featured on “Iron Chef America”, CBS’ The Early Show, BBC’s The World, Martha Stewart Living Channel and Mo Roca’s Foodography, as well as being named a finalist, in 2011, for the Best Chef AwardSoutheast from the James Beard Foundation.

His talent and passion help to gain national notoriety for Louisville and its burgeoning culinary scene. The region’s strength has been recently highlighted as a “Best FoodieGetaway around the World” by Zagat and bySouthern Livingas one of the South’s Ten “Tastiest Towns.”

Past award winners of the GLI Thomas Edison Award include Chef Dean Fearing of Fearing’s Restaurant, Eleanor Griffin, Editor in Chief,Cottage LivingMagazine, My Morning Jacket, Joseph Clayton, chairman of the board of directors for SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Jeff Immelt of GE and Shelby Bonnie of CNET.


GLI’s 2012 Annual Meeting takes place on Tuesday, March 20 at the KFC Yum! Center.The event will feature keynote speaker Jeff Immelt, GE Chairman and CEO. The evening will focus on the importance of reinvesting in US manufacturing and GE in the Greater Louisville region. For more information and to purchase tickets, visitwww.greaterlouisville.com/AnnualMeeting/.

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About Greater Louisville, Inc.
Greater Louisville Inc. – the Metro Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to transforming our region in the pursuit of becoming an idea capital of the world, where imaginationsand individuals can thrive. GLI leads business, community and economic development in Greater Louisville as we work to increase human capital, drive job creation and entrepreneurship, maximize global opportunities and strengthen business leadership.GLI isproud to represent more than 2,300 businesses – in fact, one in every three Louisville workers is currently employed by a GLI member. For more information, visit www.GreaterLouisville.com.