The Queens Chamber of Commerce, the oldest and largest business association in Queens, will kick off summer with its inaugural Queens’ Best Burger Competition throughout May and June. Members of the public are encouraged to nominate and vote for their favorite burger restaurant over the course of several weeks.
 
“Burgers are quintessential at summer barbecues and gatherings, and to kick off the summer season, today marks the exciting start of the Queens’ Best Burger Competition,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited to showcase the culinary talent across the great borough of Queens, and celebrate all the ways people enjoy the classic summer staple, and we look forward to trying some delicious, juicy burgers along the way!”

​The Chamber is accepting nominations from the public at https://bit.ly/QueensBestBurger. Nominations will kick off Memorial Day weekend on Friday, May 24. They will close on Monday, June 3. Public voting will start on Thursday, June 6 and run through Friday, June 14.
 
The winner will be crowned with the title of Queens’ Best Burger at an event on Friday, June 21. The winning eatery will receive bragging rights, along with a complimentary membership to the Queens Chamber of Commerce. The second and third place winners will receive certificates.

Press release available for download, below.

On May 7, hundreds of business leaders from Queens visited Albany to meet with their legislators as the Queens Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Queens Day in Albany. The annual event gives local business leaders the opportunity to advocate for the interests of businesses in the state capitol. Chamber members met with dozens of members of the State Senate and Assembly, then enjoyed food from more than 40 restaurants from across the borough at the “A Taste of Queens” reception, where retiring Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubrey was honored by the Chamber for his more than three decades of public service.

“Advocating for our members is an essential part of what we do as a Chamber. That includes meeting with our elected officials so they can hear about the challenges small business owners face and what they can do to help,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “I want to thank all the business leaders and restaurateurs who took time out of their schedules to come with us to Albany today, and to all the elected officials and their staffers who met with us. ” 

During meetings with elected officials, Chamber members brought up several issues from the Chamber’s 2024 Legislative Agenda that impact businesses in Queens and throughout New York State. These issues include supporting the awarding of two commercial casino licenses in Queens,, authorizing the discontinuance of parkland in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, and increasing the income eligibility threshold for the tuition assistance program. For the legislative agenda, click here.

Press release available for download, below.

It is settled. On Friday, May 3, the Queens Chamber of Commerce, the oldest and largest business association in the Queens, announced Nur Thai as the winner of its inaugural Queens’ Best Halal Restaurant Competition. The announcement was made at the eatery’s second location in Astoria. There is also a location in Rego Park. The contest was held over the past several weeks, and asked foodies to nominate and vote for their favorite halal establishments from across the borough, with the modern Thai fusion eatery emerging as the winner. Within the food and beverage industry, halal refers to anything permissible to consume according to Muslim tradition and rules.
 
“The variety of halal cuisine offered in Queens brings people from across New York, as well as outside state lines, to our great borough,” said Tom Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Congratulations to Sazzad Hossain and the entire team at Nur Thai on winning this competition. This recognition is a testament to their commitment to serving delicious food to our diverse population and I recommend everyone to try their amazing food.”

“Nestled in the heart of Astoria, Nur Thai is proud to be a part of this vibrant community, and we are thrilled to be awarded first place in the inaugural Queens’ Chamber ‘Best Halal Restaurant’ competition! This achievement is a testament to our team's exceptional quality and dedication to every dish we serve,” said Sazzad Hossain, Director and COO of the Amani Hospitality Group. “We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff, including our talented chefs, skilled waitstaff, and hardworking kitchen team, for their hard work and unwavering commitment to excellence. Their passion for bringing our customers authentic flavors and exceptional service truly sets us apart. We also thank our loyal guests and the supportive community for their trust and patronage. Their support has made this milestone possible.”
 
“The World’s Borough is the proud home of so many outstanding halal eateries across every community that serve incredible food while remaining in accordance with Muslim tradition and rules,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “But only one can be called the very best. Congratulations to Nur Thai on being named Queens’ best halal restaurant by the Queens Chamber of Commerce and I hope to meet all of you there for lunch someday soon.”
 
"As State Senator for a district representing people from all walks of life, it is wonderful to see the Queens Chamber of Commerce highlighting the wide range of halal restaurants that Queens has to offer. They are both increasing public knowledge on what halal food is and promoting local businesses. Congrats to Nur Thai!,” said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez.
 
“We are lucky in Queens to be home to so many excellent halal restaurants, which makes Nur Thai’s win all the more significant. I want to wish the team at Nur Thai a huge congratulations, and thank the Queens Chamber of Commerce for putting together this competition to recognize halal establishments in the World’s Borough," said Assembly Member Zohran K. Mamdani.
 
"Congratulations, Nur Thai, on winning Best Halal Restaurant!" said Council Member Tiffany Cabán. "You deserve to be very proud of your contributions to the halal scene, local Muslim communities, the citywide restaurant landscape, and the neighborhood of Astoria. Especially now, with Queens' Muslim families experiencing so much grief and fear, it is vital that they have access to environments that foster togetherness and love. Nothing does that quite like great halal food!"
 
In total, more than a dozen establishments were nominated for this contest, spanning a variety of cuisines. After more than 1,500 were tallied Nur Thai was selected the winner. Over the past year, the Queens Chamber of Commerce has held several other “Best of Queens'' food competitions, including pizza, tacos, empanadas, bagels, and barbecue.
 
The top three eateries selected by the public were separated by a margin of 10 votes and include:
 

1. Nur Thai (34th Avenue, Astoria)
2. Mr Chang Halal Chinese (Steinway Street, Astoria)
3. Khalil Biryani House (Hillside Avenue, Jamaica)

 
In addition to earning the title of Queens’ Best Halal Restaurant, Nur Thai received a plaque and a complimentary year of membership to the Queens Chamber of Commerce. The second and third place winners also received certificates.

Press release available for download, below.

Today the Queens Chamber of Commerce, the oldest and largest business association in Queens, announced the results of its Annual Meeting & Election of Officers and Directors, including the addition of a new member to its Board of Directors.  Joining the Board is Hersh Parekh, Deputy Chief, Intergovernmental Affairs at The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.
 
“We are thrilled to welcome Hersh Parekh to our board,” said Tom Grech, President & CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Hersh has long been actively involved in the Chamber, and will bring a unique background and set of skills to our Board. The addition of Hersh brings his own unique experiences to the table.  I look forward to continuing to work with him as he takes on this new role, and know his experience and expertise will be an asset to the Chamber as we continue our work to help Queens businesses grow and prosper.” 
 
“I am honored to join the Queens Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors," said Hersh Parekh, Deputy Chief, Intergovernmental Affairs at The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. The Queens Chamber is a valued partner of the Port Authority, and the Chamber and its members have played a vital role in our work to redevelop LaGuardia and JFK airports. I look forward to contributing to the vital work the Chamber does to support Queens' business community. ”
 
The Queens Chamber’s Executive Committee for the upcoming year will consist of:

• Chair Howard Graf, Partner, Graf & Lewent Architects
• Vice Chair Richard Dzwlewicz, Regional Vice President/SVP, TD Bank
• Treasurer Patricia Mezeul, Executive Vice President, Flushing Bank
• Associate Treasurer Nash Roe, Executive Vice President, City Underwriting Agency
• Secretary Patrick Yu, Partner, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP
• Associate Secretary Michelle Stoddart, Vice President, Community Development for Resorts World Casino New York City
• Immediate Past Chair Thomas J. Santucci, President, Gateway Investments, Inc.

Press release available for download, below.