DESTIN, Fla. /FLORIDA NEWSWIRE/ -- For the ninth consecutive year, AJ's on the Bayou is excited to invite everyone to its free Thanksgiving Day meal, served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The beloved waterfront restaurant aims to surpass last year's turnout of nearly 1,000 meals, extending a warm invitation to all in the community.

DESTIN, Fla. /FLORIDA NEWSWIRE/ -- Alan Laird, owner of four of AJ's restaurants along Florida's Gulf Coast, is excited to announce his latest business concept to join the AJ family. From reef to range, AJ's Rocking L - Specialty Meats and Gourmet Market is Destin's only privately-owned specialty meat and gourmet market. It's now open in the heart of Destin at Shoreline Village Mall at 872 Highway 98 E. Unit #19 and features grass-fed black angus and Wagyu beef.

DESTIN, Fla. /Florida Newswire/ -- For the sixth year, AJ's on the Bayou, will host a free Thanksgiving Day meal from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. Last year, the waterfront restaurant served close to 1,000 meals. "We open up our doors to everyone, to ensure that no one is alone or hungry for the holiday," says Keith Waters, Director of Operations for AJ's.

DESTIN, Fla. /Florida Newswire/ -- In 2020, readers of "Nation's Restaurant News" had a chance to weigh in on who they considered leaders in the restaurant industry. The people have spoken and Florida's own Alan Laird, owner of AJ's Seafood & Oyster Bar, ranked number 37 out of 500 submissions in the category for "Most Influential Restaurant Executives in the Country" on its "Power List 2020."

DESTIN, Fla. /Florida Newswire/ -- FUEL at North Light, a new restaurant providing coastal fare with island flare by North West Floridian tastemaker and chef, Dan Pettis, will open at North Light Yacht Club at 113 E John Sims Parkway. The 100 seat, casual, fine dining destination will provide locally sourced food in a relaxed yet upscale atmosphere with expansive, breathtaking, waterfront views.