Restaurant Press Releases

Restaurateur O'Neal Named Chairman of Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS)

CONTACT:
Paul McIntyre or
Jean Carter
(916) 780-0226
Immediate Release: March 29, 2005

New York City restaurateur Michael O'Neal has been named Chairman of the Board of Kids Involuntarily Inhaling Secondhand Smoke (KIISS), a Roseville, California based nonprofit that works to educate restaurant owners nationwide about the benefits of going smoke free.

O'Neal, who has three restaurants in New York City - O'Neal's Restaurant, West 79th Street Boat Basin Cafe, and the Ballfields Cafe' - has been an actively involved restaurant owner and operator since 1964.

One of his most passionate causes has been to work to make restaurants and bars smoke free environments where his businesses are located, as well as nationwide.

"A dozen years ago when I started advocating for smoke-free restaurants I was a lone-wolf among my peers who owned restaurants," O'Neal said. "Now everyday a new city, state or country is coming our way on smoke-free restaurants."

"Currently more than one third of restaurants nationwide are smoke free by law," O'Neal says adding, "That number will likely grow by 10 to 15 percent by year's end".

O'Neal is past president of the New York City Chapter of the New York State Restaurant Association, past chairman of the New York State Restaurant Association, and is an emeritus member of the National Restaurant Association board of directors.

His culinary career began in 1962 as a Foodservice Officer in the U.S. Air Force, followed by employment with Restaurant Associates in 1963, and the opening of his first restaurant, "The Ginger Man" in New York City in 1964.

With his namesake restaurant across the street from NYC's Lincoln Center, O'Neal has always been keenly involved in the arts, and local political and civic committees.

Married to NYC real estate broker Christine O'Neal, the couple has two children and one grandchild.

Michael O'Neal