The SFA Hall of Fame
Honoring long-serving members of the specialty food community for their achievements and impact 
2015 Hall of Fame award winner

George and Hannah Kalajian

Near East
2015
Hall of Fame

George and Hannah Kalajian escaped the Armenian Genocide and found each other in America. Together, they opened a luncheonette and then founded Near East Rice Pilaf. As a 50-year-old female entrepreneur in the 1960's, Hannah overcame tremendous odds to change the way America consumed rice.