Idaho Lodging & Restaurant Association

05/19/2026

Today's the day! Take time to go vote!

04/21/2026

Good Luck Post Falls High School!

A team of local student chefs will add a healthy serving of culinary experience to their résumés, and perhaps win a generous portion of scholarship money, when they participate in the National ProStart Invitational in Baltimore this weekend.

04/01/2026

Congrats Chef Lou and the entire team at Westside Drive-In!

Today marks 32 years since Chef Lou bought Westside Drive-In on April 1, 1994.

What started as a dream has grown into a Boise staple, and it’s all thanks to the amazing community that has supported us along the way. From longtime regulars to first-time visitors, we’re grateful for every single one of you. Cheers to 32 years and counting!💗

03/26/2026

Congrats on 2 years !

Holy Cow!! We almost missed it… happy anniversary to ! 2 years ago today we opened our doors to the public and have not looked back. We have added staff, BBQ, Bingo, and much more.

Thank YOU for letting us open our doors everyday and for supporting our family business! We appreciate each and every one of you. Forty Two would not happen without your support and for that, we are grateful.

Forty Two… the answer to life, the universe, and BBQ!

02/02/2026

🎉 It’s Career Technical Education (CTE) Month! 🎉
CTE Month is a time to celebrate the students, educators, and employers who make career-connected learning work across Idaho. Career Technical Education helps learners connect classroom learning to real skills, real credentials, and real careers—preparing Idaho’s workforce while remaining accountable to taxpayers.
Across the state, CTE programs are aligned to labor-market demand, held to consistent standards, and measured by outcomes like graduation, skill attainment, and employment. The result is a talent pipeline that works for students, employers, and local communities.

📣 How you can support CTE this month:
• Visit a local CTE program and see hands-on learning in action
• Recognize a CTE educator or student who’s making a difference
• Share a CTE success story from your school, district, or community
• Engage with local employers who partner with CTE programs
• Talk about the value of CTE as a smart, accountable investment in Idaho’s workforce
Whether it’s welding, health care, agriculture, IT, construction, or culinary arts, CTE shows students how learning leads somewhere—and helps Idaho employers find the skilled workers they need.

This month, we’re celebrating CTE because it works—and because Idaho is stronger when education and workforce move forward together.

01/01/2026

Congrats!

Congratulations are in order for Middleton Schools! ALL of the Advanced Culinary students have officially passed their ServSafe Manager Certification. This nationally recognized credential—developed by the National Restaurant Association—signals that students are prepared to manage food safety at the highest level, not just follow instructions in a kitchen lab. Passing a rigorous, manager-level exam while still in high school gives these students an immediate advantage in culinary and food service careers, meets industry and health-department standards, and demonstrates their readiness to protect public health. In short, they’re graduating with proof they can be trusted to run a kitchen—something most professionals don’t earn until much later.

12/25/2025

11/17/2025

The Idaho Business Review recently included ILRA's President/CEO, Pam Eaton, in its inaugural Idaho 500 list of outstanding individuals. The publication's editorial team touts the Idaho 500 as its premier recognition program celebrating the most influential and accomplished professionals throughout Idaho. Congratulations, Pam!

Pam Eaton has led the Idaho Retailers Association since January 2001, also serving as president and CEO of the Idaho Lodging & Restaurant Association and Idaho State Pharmacy Association. She recently concluded successful legislative defense work, addressing health care reimbursement issues for phar...

10/09/2025

Love seeing this news! 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

09/14/2025

Congratulations to the graduates!!!

👩‍🍳👨‍🍳Sun Valley Culinary Institute is bursting with pride to announce the graduation of the fourth class from the Professional Program. Six of these eight graduates have chosen to stay in the Wood River Valley to pursue their culinary dreams, a testament to the thriving culinary scene in our community. The remaining two are also embarking on exciting journeys-one will take their dream on the road to Aspen, while the other will contribute to the growing restaurant community in Boise. We wish them all well!

SVCI is accepting applications for the new school year beginning in September 2026. Do you know someone interested in a culinary career? Click here to learn more: https://www.sunvalleyculinary.org/one-year-program

06/17/2025

Congratulations Chef Alamilla!!!

Idaho is now home to a second James Beard Award-winning chef. Amano co-owner and head chef Salvador Alamilla won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Mountain Region. The Mountain Region covers five states: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. The awards ceremony took place at the...