Local Food Hero: Carrie Leishman
In March, Carrie Leishman could see the writing on the wall. Restaurants across the country were facing restrictions as the coronavirus intensified. Leishman, the president and CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association (DRA) for 20 years, was working with legislators to create operating guidelines. But on March 16, Gov. John Carney announced that as of 8 p.m., restaurants could no longer offer dine-in service.
“It did take us by surprise,” acknowledges Leishman, whose voice carries notes of her upstate New York upbringing. “I allowed myself to have a breakdown in my office. It was devastating.”
Anyone who knows Leishman isn’t surprised by her reaction. The petite blond — who oozes charisma but can swear like a sailor — is passionate about the industry. “I don’t know that I could pick a better person to represent us,” says Jeff Cook, a former chairman of the DRA board and co-owner of 2 Fat Guys in Hockessin. “She’s fighting around the clock for us.”
Gianmarco Martuscelli, president of Martuscelli Restaurant Group, agrees. “Her tenacity during this pandemic in getting top officials in the state to listen and understand our concerns has been immeasurable to our group.”
After her mini-meltdown, Leishman “prepared for battle,” she says. “I wanted to get anything I could for as many restaurant operators as I could.”
The DRA successfully lobbied to label restaurants essential. “We are feeding the front lines,” she says firmly. With the DRA’s insistence, restaurants were allowed to offer carryout and alcohol-to-go. The organization has worked to get loans for restaurants, which has been a bureaucratic brouhaha.
Throughout it all, Leishman has never refused a call from an anxious restaurateur. “Sometimes we are their only lifeline,” she explains. “I’ll give them whatever information I have at any time of the day.”
Leishman, who set up weekly calls with the governor and twice-a-week calls with his team, has been active in creating guidelines for reopening and facing a future with Covid-19. “I commend her because her leadership and devotion to our industry have never been tested more,” Martuscelli says.
Meanwhile, it’s also business as usual. Leishman, who started as the DRA’s only employee and ran the organization in her basement, now has a staff of five. The DRA has an educational foundation focused on high school students and offers professional training. Last year, the DRA held a Women in Hospitality conference. This year, they may need to think virtual.
“I’ve been around so long in this role that I have a clear vision,” she concludes. “I’m going to steer a straight ship.”
IMPACTING LIVES BEYOND THE PLATE
Food heroes are all around us, impacting lives beyond the plate. We’re seeing farmers, chefs, grocery store clerks, butchers, truckers and other essential workers in the food chain going above and beyond to help feed their local communities. Edible Communities is proud to partner with natural meats pioneer Niman Ranch to help celebrate these too often-underappreciated heroes. Thanks to all who nominated local heroes!
READ MORE BEYOND THE PLATE LOCAL FOOD HERO STORIES
