April 18, 2022

Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club

Our 2022 Stars of the Industry awards ceremony took place on April 18th at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club in Durham, made possible in part by the help and support of our compassionate sponsors.

At a time when restaurants, hotels and bars are doing their best to respond to labor shortages, supply chain issues and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Stars of the Industry awards afforded North Carolina’s hospitality community a chance to reflect and honor the selfless contributions and stories of inspiration from within the industry. Award recipients were selected based on their exemplary service, leadership, innovation and dedication to the restaurant and lodging industries.

Four members of the North Carolina General Assembly, Sen. Paul Newton, Sen. Kirk deViere, Speaker of the House Tim Moore and Rep. Jason Saine, were recognized for their leadership and exceptional support of the hospitality industry and the policies included in NCRLA’s Blueprint for Revival of the Hospitality Industry. Their support resulted in the largest investment to date in the nation in the revitalization of the hospitality industry through the Business Recovery Grant Program.

“The challenges keep coming, but our leaders in the hospitality industry continue to find ways to rise above it with their service and commitment to keep our businesses up and running,” said NCRLA President and CEO Lynn Minges. “We are so proud to recognize the hardworking men and women on the front lines that keep a smile on their face despite all that they have overcome in the last few years.”

Among the honorees recognized were Vinay Patel, President of SREE Hotels in Charlotte, who took home the Griff & June Glover Award for Distinguished Service and Tim Goss, owner/franchisee of several Firehouse Subs in Charlotte, who was awarded the Ken Conrad Award for Service to the Community. In addition to running their businesses, they spent much of the last year protecting and advancing issues related to the hospitality industry across the state.

The emcees for the night were Max Trujillo and Matt Weiss of the NC Food & Beverage Podcast.

View the Press Release

Introducing the 2022 NCRLA Stars of the Industry Winners!

Restaurateur of the Year	Giorgios Bakatsias, Giorgios Hospitality Group
Restaurant Managers of the Year	James Holcomb, Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club Jim McGovern, Angus Barn
Restaurant Employees of the Year	Sarah Cooper, Burke Manor Inn & Pavilion Seth Wilson, Heirloom Restaurant Glaziela Mendonca, Heron’s at The Umstead Hotel & Spa Bonnie Davis, Biscuitville
Lodging Operator of the Year	Ian Sauer, Summit Hospitality
Lodging Managers of the Year	Lee Stell, The Umstead Hotel & Spa Nicole Ebersole, Parks Hospitality Group
Lodging Employees of the Year	Zhongwhen Sui, The Umstead Hotel & Spa Vera Cobbs, Charlotte Marriott Southpark Carl Stuck, DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville Downtown
Hospitality Supplier of the Year	Andy Clark, US Foods
Hospitality Champions, House	Speaker of the House Tim Moore Rep. Jason Saine
Hospitality Champions, Senate	Sen. Paul Newton Sen. Kirk deViere
Griff & June Glover Award	Vinay Patel, SREE Hotels
Ken Conrad Award	Tim Goss, Firehouse Subs
Lifetime Achievement Award	RB Fitch, Fearrington House Inn & Restaurant

Award category descriptions are as follows:

Restaurateur of the Year

Nominees must be restaurant members in good standing with NCRLA. This award honors a restaurant owner or company that is viewed as highly successful in the eyes of his or her fellow operators, employees and the community. Other areas of consideration include the nominee’s ability as an operator and his/her community involvement. In addition, nominees should have made contributions to the industry on the basis of his/her own business ethics, and have enhanced the overall image of the foodservice industry. In general, nominees should show an interest in protecting and promoting the foodservice industry. Previous winners.

Restaurant Employee and Manager of the Year

Two awards will be given in this category to celebrate deserving employees at the management level and line level. Please feel free to nominate more than one deserving employee accordingly. Nominees must display outstanding service and a commitment to excellence in hospitality. Nominees must have been employed at a member restaurant for one year, and carry themselves with professionalism and display leadership abilities. Previous winners.

Lodging Operator of the Year

Nominees must be lodging members in good standing with NCRLA. This award honors a hotel owner or a company that is viewed as highly successful in the eyes of his or her fellow operators, employees, and the community. Other areas of consideration include the nominee’s ability as an operator and his/her community involvement. In addition, nominees should have made contributions to the industry on the basis of his/her own business ethics, and have enhanced the overall image of the lodging industry. In general, nominees should show an interest in protecting and promoting the hospitality industry. General managers, management company executives and property owners are eligible. Previous winners.

Lodging Employee and Manager of the Year

Two awards will be given in this category to celebrate deserving employees at the management level and line level. Please feel free to nominate more than one deserving employee accordingly. Nominees must display outstanding service and a commitment to excellence in hospitality. Nominees must have been employed at a member lodging establishment for one year, and carry themselves with professionalism and display leadership abilities. Previous winners.

Hospitality Supplier of the Year

Nominees must be individuals working for allied members of the hospitality industry and must be in good standing with NCRLA. This award honors a company or representative that is viewed as highly successful in the eyes of his/her fellow operators, employees and the community. Nominees should have made contributions to the industry on the basis of his/her own business ethics and have contributed to the overall image of the hospitality industry. In general, nominees should show an interest in protecting and promoting the hospitality industry. Previous winners.

Griff and June Glover Award

This award honors an NCRLA member who has gone above and beyond in their service to the association. The nominee should be someone who has contributed significant time and energy to help NCRLA accomplish its mission. The award is named after longtime members Griff and June Glover of Pizza Inn and Diversified Foods. Previous winners.

Hospitality Champion Award

This award honors the state legislator who has made the most legislative headway for the hospitality in the preceding legislative session. Previous winners.

NCRLA Lifetime Achievement Award

This award will be given when appropriate to a member who has achieved significant success in the North Carolina hospitality industry. Previous winners.

Ken Conrad Award for Service to the Community

This award honors members who make significant charitable impacts within their communities. Previous winners.

Click here for photos of the evening from 2022. Photo Credit: Nieto Photography

Thank you to our 2022 Sponsors!

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