Sandy Smith Exits Ray’s After 20 Years

Sandy Smith + Mo Shaw
Sandy Smith (left) with Ray’s former GM Mo Shaw

One of the things I enjoy about the career I have chosen is the journeyman nature of the trade.  My father told me a long time ago that in this industry you can pick up and go to any city in the world, you will always have fun people to work with, and you will always have something good to eat. All of this has held true. However, one thing I have had to learn on my own was that as professionals we will continue to grow ourselves and our careers, and will eventually move on. And we need to remember that this is a very good thing. I am not talking about the artists, med school students, and musicians that pass through our industry as a means to another end. I am speaking to the Career Hospitality Professionals that make this industry possible through selfless dedication, hard work, and compassion.

Over the course of my career I have worked with many people who have made an impact on me personally and the businesses/communities we have served together. Some of these people have been lifelong friends, one of these people even became my wife. At one point we worked together, then we moved on to do greater things. And there are few accomplishments more satisfying to me than seeing my friends and coworkers succeed, choose a new more challenging path, and continue to grow themselves.

On June 19th, 2015 this bittersweet cycle continues as we wish farewell to Sandy Smith, Ray’s HR Manager, a team member of more than 20 years. To begin to explain the amount of impact that Sandy has had on the lives of the people she has touched, her dedication to the Pacific Northwest institution of Ray’s, and her impact on the Seattle hospitality industry, is simply not possible. For over half of Ray’s 43-year history Sandy has opened our doors to countless new hires anxious to start their new positions, new lives, and new careers. She has provided sanctuary to people in crisis and has been a soft shoulder for team members in need. She has built a legacy of ‘making things happen’ by always remaining flexible and finding solutions. She has been a voice for Ray’s in both local and state hospitality politics. She has been a friend and mentor to many many people, and her smiles will be missed.

As June 19th approaches we will celebrate with Sandy, share food and drink, laugh and reminisce. There will be hugs, tears, and handshakes. There will be a new hire sitting at Sandy’s desk as the cycle continues and I ask that Sandy hold deep in her heart the knowledge that the legacy she has created will carry on. The Sandy that we know and love will always have a place here at Ray’s and the mark she has made will remain bright for many years to come. It is fair to say that Rays would not be what it is today without all of the great work that Sandy has done. And for that we thank you.

Best of luck Sandy. We are by your side as you take this next step and we all know you will continue to do great things for the industry we enjoy so much and the people you serve.

Sincerely,

Douglas Zellers

Ray’s Boathouse & Cafe General Manager

Ray’s Debuts New Waterfront Deck!

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Ray’s Boathouse & Café is excited to announce our new outdoor Boathouse deck! Guests can now dine directly over the water and enjoy the Ray’s Boathouse menu, wine list and cocktails al fresco.

A Seattle waterfront staple, Ray’s is known for its coveted outdoor Café deck that guests love to enjoy on every sunny Seattle day, despite the temperature. The Ray’s Boathouse deck will offer the same gorgeous views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound and allow additional outdoor dining for guests.

Bring your friends, family and visitors to Ray’s this summer for the ultimate seafood and waterfront experience! Taste our new summer menu and see why Ray’s has been one of the most popular seafood restaurants in Seattle for more than 40 years.

Join us daily in the Boathouse starting at 5 p.m. for dinner. Boathouse deck seating is on a first come basis and we do not accept reservations for the deck.

13th Annual Rose’ Revival & Other Cool Whites

 

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Thurs. June 18th, 2015
Ray’s Boathouse
6049 Seaview Ave NW
Seattle, WA
6 – 9 pm ~ $35
*Special VIP early entry at 5 pm for $50

What could be more summer than sipping tasty rose’ and white wines on the beautiful deck of at Ray’s Boathouse watching the sun set over the Olympic Mountains across Puget Sound?  Be part of this Seattle summer tradition by joining us at the 13th Annual Rose’ Revival and Other Cool Whites Wine Event on Thurs. June 18th!

This event features a wide array of dry Rose’ and interesting white wines…NO reds! Attendees will meet a variety of Northwest winemakers and taste their Rosé made in very small lots from Sangiovese, Syrah, Cab Franc, Tempranillo, Grenache, Pinot Noir! The event will also feature a wide array of delicious whites for summer, including varietals such as Semillon, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Albarino, Gruner, & Pinot Blanc, as well as wines from Italy & France!  Ray’s Boathouse will provide some tasty noshes to accompany.

30+ Northwest Wineries pouring their latest releases for Summer

5pm Early Entry limited to 50 people

Salmon Slider Box provided by Ray’s Boathouse

Stunning view of the sunset over Puget Sound

~ Wine Store to purchase bottles of your favorites!

Proceeds from this Seattle Uncorked event go to support Save Our Wild Salmon, a nationwide coalition of conservation organizations, commercial and sportsfishing associations, businesses, river groups, and taxpayer advocates working collectively to restore self-sustaining, abundant, and harvestable populations of wild salmon and steelhead to rivers, streams and oceans of the Pacific Salmon states.

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS!

Featuring

Aix Rose,Blanc Lime – FR
Bartholomew Winery
Bookwalter Wines
Bunnell Family Cellars
Charles Smith Wines
Château D’Esclans – FR
Coral Wines
Corliss/Tranche
Forgeron Cellars
Genoa Cellars
Goose Ridge Estate Winery
Kaella Winery
La Vieille Ferme – FR
Market Vineyards
Martinez & Martinez
Michael Florentino Winery
Miraval – FR
NHV -Naches Heights Vineyard
OS Winery
Palencia Wine
Patterson Cellars
Perrin – FR
Purple Star & Native Sun
Rulo Winery
Seven Hills Winery
Small Vineyards
Smasne Cellars
Terra Blanca Winery
Tildio Winery
Treveri Cellars
Waters Winery
Windrose Cellars

 

Tom Olsson Celebrates 20 Years at Ray’s!

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Tom Olsson, Controller at Ray’s, started with us in 1995 as a banquet cook, he progressed to Chef Charles Ramsayers’ right hand man, and then to Food Purchaser. During his time as Food Purchaser he attended night school and earned an accounting certificate from City University of Seattle and was promoted to Controller.  Tom is an avid cyclist and competes in several local events including RAMROD.  He is a ‘retired’ race car driver and is currently Track Chief Driving Instructor at BMW CCA Puget Sound.

In Tom’s 20 year tenure he has seen many people, trends, and economic environments come and go. Tom has been instrumental in ensuring that Ray’s seafood restaurant has stayed the course and remained profitable, true to our brand, our guests, our team, and our purveyors. Thank you Tom for a great 20 years and all the best to you as we move forward together.

Cheers to you!

– Team Rays

Support (RED) at Ray’s

Ray's Red Cocktail 1

Ray’s Café is participating in this month’s (RED) campaign to support the fight against global AIDS.

The EAT (RED). DRINK (RED). Save Lives. campaign runs June 1-30 and Ray’s Café will be joining hundreds of restaurants from around the country to offer (RED) specials with proceeds benefitting AIDS research and support.

Join us in the Cafe bar, dining room or deck to enjoy Ray’s (RED) Cocktail and drink for a cause all June long!

Ray’s (RED) Cocktail 
Bourbon, Cardamaro, Cherry Brandy, Orange Juice, Grenadine $10