The Turlock general manager of the Olive Garden in town has earned recognition from the corporation for the eatery’s guest services and community involvement.

Ron Ghaffari has achieved parent company Darden Restaurants’ Diamond Club status, which selected only 42 individuals from the company’s pool of 800 general managers. He joins a group of general managers recognized this year for their commitment to delivering guest experiences at the highest level, while making a difference in the lives of guests, team members and in their community, according to Darden Restaurant.

“Ron embodies our belief at Olive Garden that everyone who walks through our doors should be treated like family—from our guests to our team members,” said Dave George, president of Olive Garden. “He demonstrates outstanding leadership of his restaurant, as well as passion for the Turlock community, and I am proud to have him represent Olive Garden.”

It has been under Ghaffari’s leadership that the Turlock location began donating the surplus food to the United Samaritans Foundation. Each week USF picks up about 35 to 55 pounds of food.

“We donate sauces, lasagnas, chicken, sausages, meatballs, but mostly soups,” said Ghaffari in a previous interview. “We treat the people United Samaritans Foundation serves like our own guests by making sure the food is safe and secure.”