When restaurant industry types gather together, food and beverages are a paramount part of the evening. So it was at The Ritz-Carlton, Denver, Monday during the Colorado Restaurant Association’s annual Industry Spotlight Awards.
Awards are given to honor those in the industry who have been mentors, contributed to the community and have pushed the industry to the level that it is today.
But before the formal part of the evening, attendees at the sold-out event strolled, snacked and sipped on perhaps the finest food spread I’ve ever seen at an event.
The Ritz “put on the ritz” with buffet stations bursting with charcuterie; seafood; macaroni and cheese and pan sauteed chicken; a carving station with beef and pork; a fancy salad bar and dessert bars with candy, cookies, chocolate mousse and red velvet cheesecake cupcakes. And did I mention the never-ending array of passed hors d’oeuvres? The multiple bars featured fine wines, local beers and top shelf spirits.
Meanwhile, back at the awards ceremony, five “Signature Dish” awards were presented to people making extraordinary contributions in the hospitality industry and the community. They included:
- Exceptional Newcomer Signature Dish Award: Delores Tronco, Tony Maciag and Dana Rodriguez, Work & Class.
- Outstanding Professional Signature Dish Award: John Imbergamo, The Imbergamo Group.
- Regional Outstanding Professional Signature Dish Award: Kenneth Nelson, Park & Main, Briar Rose Chophouse, Empire Burger and Giampietro Pasta & Pizzeria in Breckenridge.
- Outstanding Media Professional Signature Dish Award: Ed Sealover, The Denver Business Journal.
- Philanthropist Signature Dish Award: Daniel Asher, Linger and Root Down.
The Colorado Restaurant Association also inducted five people into the Colorado Foodservice Hall of Fame:
- Reginald D. Gray, Resort Development Group.
- Toshi Kizaki and Yasu Kizaki, Sushi Den.
- Karen Kristopeit-Parker, Fresh Fish Company,
- Peter M. Meersman, Colorado Restaurant Association.
The Colorado Restaurant Association Education Foundation Reaching for the Stars Knoebel Award was awarded to Valerie Baylie, a Colorado ProStart Teacher at Standley Lake High School.
The evening culminated with the most highly regarded award, the Richard P. Ayers Award for Distinguished Service, being presented to Jim Smith of Republic National Distributing Company. This award recognizes members who have distinguished themselves through their service to the Colorado Restaurant Association, the foodservice industry and their communities.
Also recognized at the event were the Colorado winners of the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation Restaurant Neighbor Award to Epicurean Group and The Kitchen. And the Pinnacol Assurance Restaurant Association Safety Award to Vesta Dipping Grill, Steuben’s Food Service and Ace Eat Serve.
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