Lou Malnati's Restaurant

For her continued dedication and personal philanthropic efforts to support cancer research, Jean Malnati Miller has been selected as the Illinois Restaurant Association’s (IRA) 2004 Cornerstone Humanitarian of the Year Award winner.

The IRA selects winners based on their long-term commitment to community service, the types of projects they have supported or created, and the impact they have personally had on their community. For the past 34 years, Jean Malnati Miller has raised more than $1 million for cancer research by organizing and hosting the annual Lou Malnati’s Cancer Benefit.

“Jean Malnati Miller has shown an impressive dedication to the Chicagoland community through her years of continuous cancer research support. The Malnati name is as well known for supporting the community as it is for creating their delicious butter crust pizza, and this recognition is due largely to Jean’s commitment to giving back to the community for the past thirty-four years,” said Colleen McShane, President of the Illinois Restaurant Association.
A selection committee made up of members from the Illinois Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association reviewed all applications for the 2004 Cornerstone Humanitarian Award. Jean Malnati Miller will be recognized for her accomplishments at the IRA’s fall board meeting on October 21, 2004, and she is eligible to win one of three national awards. The national winners will be announced in Washington, DC during the NRA’s Public Affairs Conference, September 13-14, 2004.

Jean and Lou Malnati established the Benefit in 1971 to raise money for the Brian Piccolo scholarship of Wake Forest University, which recognized the athletic and academic achievements of a local student by providing a scholarship. The event was held at the newly established Lou Malnati's Pizzeria in Lincolnwood – home of authentic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.

After Lou’s death in 1978 from cancer, Jean carried on the tradition of the annual event, changing the focus to raise funds for cancer research. She continues to organize and run the event, this year being the 34th Annual Cancer Benefit, with all proceeds going to the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Cancer Program. For the past five years, this event has raised more than $100,000 each year for cancer research. This year’s event is planned for October 4, 2004 at the Lou Malnati's in Buffalo Grove.

To make this event successful, Jean Malnati Miller dedicates hours each week to the development, relationship building, promotion and support of the benefit. Her personal commitment to the community and finding a cure for cancer is unending. In addition, when Jean ran the restaurants, now owned and operated by her son Marc, she supported many other community projects, including the Little City fundraiser for handicapped children, local schools, and sports programs. An additional $50,000 each year continues to be donated to these types of programs.

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is a family-owned company that stresses consistency in quality, service, and food, offered in a unique environment by a staff that is committed to one another, the customer, and the community.