HISTORY
In 1990, three energetic and creative chefs, Hans Limburg, Gary Darling and Greg Reggio, joined together to form an experienced culinary and restaurant development team. The company's mission was clear: To develop and operate unique restaurant concepts and to provide a wide array of consulting services to the industry.
This trio of friends and seasoned restaurant professionals named their partnership Taste Buds, Incorporated. One of their first conceptions, Semolina, is a casual contemporary restaurant devoted to the wonderful world of pasta. The first location in Covington, Louisiana opened in August 1991. Semolina received national recognition from the respected industry publication Restaurants and Institutions and was named “Hot concept” in a special report by Nation’s Restaurant News. The Louisiana Restaurant Association named Taste Buds - Restauranteurs of the Year in 1994. The Taste Buds created Zea in 1997 with their first location in Harahan, Louisiana. It immediately gained popularity within the community and acclaim from restaurant associations. From their award winning recipes and “Best New Restaurant” awards from Gambit Magazine Readers Poll and New Orleans Magazine, the Taste Buds had another hit on their hands. There are currently four locations in the New Orleans area. Zea Rotisserie & Grill also has locations in Lafayette, Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama with franchise locations in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Pensacola, Florida and Plano, Texas.

ZEA	AWARDS

2009

Jefferson Life Magazine- Best of Jeff
Best Overall Restaurant
Best Bang for the Buck
Best Service

225 Magazine- Best of 225 Awards
Best New Restaurant

Times of Acadiana- Best of Acadiana
1st Place Best Restaurant
1st Place Best Restaurant Service
2nd Place Best Red Beans and Rice
3rd Place Best Salad
3rd Place Best Bloody Mary
3rd Place Best Martini
3rd Place Best Mojito

2008

City Business- Culinary Connisseurs Awards 2008
Best Owners- The Taste Buds- Greg Reggio, Hans Limburg, and Gary Darling for Zea, Semolina and Semolina’s Bistro Italia

Times of Acadiana- Best of Acadiana
Best Restaurant
2nd Place Best Bloody Mary
2nd Place Best Salad
2nd Place Best Service
2nd Place Best Restaurant Dessert
3rd Place Best Martini

Lagniappe Mobile- Nappie Award
Best Chain Restaurant

Where Y’at Magazine- Best of the Big Easy Awards
Best Casual Restaurant.

Gambit Weekly- Best of Awards
3rd Place Best Salad – Spinach Salad

2007

Mobile Bay Monthly- 16th Annual Best of the Bay
Best Business Lunch

New Orleans Magazine- Ultimate New Orleans Reader’s Choice Awards
Best Casual Dining Restaurant
Times of Acadiana- Best of Acadiana
1st Place Best Red Beans and Rice
1st Place Best Restaurant
1st Place Best Service in a Restaurant
1st Place Best Martini
2nd Place Best Take Out
3rd Place Best Dessert

Lagniappe Mobile- Nappie Award
Best Chain Restaurant

2006

New Orleans Magazine- Ultimate New Orleans Reader’s Choice Awards
Best Casual Restaurant

Times of Acadiana- Best of Acadiana
1st Place Best Restaurant
1st Place Best Dessert
2nd Place Best Place for Lunch
2nd Place Best Service in a Restaurant
2nd Place Best Salad
3rd Place Best Place for a Romantic Date
3rd Place Best Take Out
3rd Place Best Martini

2005

Lafayette LRA Chocolate Indulgence Competition
2nd Place- Chocolate Glaze Hot Chicken Wings

Times of Acadiana- Best of Acadiana
2nd Place Best Restaurant
2nd Place Best Martini Menu
2nd Place Best Date Restaurant
3rd Place Best Dessert Menu

Lagniappe Mobile- Nappie Award
Best Chain Restaurant

2004

Times of Acadiana- Best of Acadiana
2nd Place Best Restaurant

Gambit Weekly- Best of New Orleans Awards
2nd Place Best local beer in New Orleans

Lagniappe Mobile- Nappie Award
Best New Restaurant

Where Y’at Magazine- Best of the Big Easy Award
Best Restaurant

2003

Louisiana Restaurant Association, Greater New Orleans Chapter
Restaurateurs of the Year- The Taste Buds- Hans Limburg, Gary Darling and Greg Reggio

Times of Acadiana
Best Date Restaurant
2nd Place Best Restaurant

2002

LA Gold Culinary Classic
Silver Medal – Thai Ribs

Times of Acadiana- Best of Acadiana
2nd Place Best Restaurant

2001

Maple Leaf Farms
Restaurant of the Year

Times of Acadiana- Best of Acadiana
Best New Restaurant

2000

New Orleans Magazine- Ultimate New Orleans Reader’s Choice Awards
Best New Restaurant

1999

Asset Foundation Cook-Off
1st Place- Twice Cooked Crispy Duck
Best Dessert- Sweet Potato Pecan Bread Pudding

Gambit Weekly- Best of New Orleans Awards
Best New Restaurant
2nd Place Best Date Restaurant
3rd Place Best Place for Salads

1998

LA Gold Culinary Classic
Gold Medal and Best of Show- Spinach Salad with Pepper Jelly Vinaigrette