Denver, CO - April 7, 2015 – Many of Colorado’s top restaurant industry professionals were honored on Monday, April 6 at the Ritz Carlton Ballroom when the Colorado Restaurant Association (CRA) hosted its Industry Spotlight Awards. This is the premier event for the CRA, where we gather together to celebrate the industry and the top stars of hospitality. Awards are given to honor those in the industry who have been mentors, contributed to the community and have pushed our industry to the level that it is today.
Five “Signature Dish” awards were presented to people making extraordinary contributions in the hospitality industry and the community. They include:
- Exceptional Newcomer Signature Dish Award: Delores Tronco, Tony Maciag, & 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
At the Industry Spotlight Awards we also inducted five people into the Colorado Foodservice Hall of Fame:
- Reginald D. Gray, Resort Development Group
- Toshi Kizaki & 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 our 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. As well as the Pinnacol Assurance Restaurant Association Safety Award to Vesta Dipping Grill, Steuben’s Food Service, and Ace Eat Serve.
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About the Colorado Restaurant Association
Founded in 1933, the Colorado Restaurant Association is dedicated to the enhancement and success of Colorado’s foodservice industry. Representing approximately 4,500 restaurant members throughout the state, the association works to promote and protect the industry. In 2015, Colorado restaurants will generate more than $10 billion in sales and $695 million in state and local taxes, while employing 264,200 workers in 10,870+ establishments.
