The Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association is pleased to announce the 2023 Stars of the Industry Awards winners and finalists. On Monday, October 30, we will honor these individuals at the annual Stars of the Industry Awards dinner.
This year, we are giving special attention to several categories for their tireless dedication. The top nominees are being recognized as “winners” for the following categories: Front of the House/Back of the House Restaurant, Front of the House/Heart of the House Hospitality, Hospitality Department Manager, Restaurant Manager and Spirit. The winners in these categories will be recognized on stage and one individual will receive the Outstanding Award. The other categories will continue to be recognized as finalists and we will announce the overall winner at the dinner.
We cannot wait to celebrate with you!
Tickets, hotel information and sponsorship details are available at bit.ly/Stars_of_the_Industry.
Listed in alphabetical order by last name.
This Year’s Winners
Heart of the House Hospitality Employee of the Year:
Bert Bellcase – Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel
Roy Dillon – Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa
Eddie Dubose – Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook
William Mitchell – The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
Brenda Murphy – The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa
Mark Thomas – Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center
Liliana Trujillo – Ithaka Hospitality Partners
Back of the House Restaurant Employee of the Year:
Stan Barefield -Vintage Hospitality Group
Deunta Dunning – PP Hospitality Group
Judson Gonzales – The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa
De’Angelo Griffin – The Depot
Cory Steadham – Steelwood Country Club
Nicholas Teates – The Depot
Front of the House Hospitality Employee of the Year:
Carla Grace – Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa
Carlos Gutierrez – Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa
Yabreeka Nunn – Ithaka Hospitality Partners
Rose Stankova – Perdido Beach Resort
Front of the House Restaurant Employee of the Year:
Heather Cruz – Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel
Taylor Janousek – Ithaka Hospitality Partners
Thomas McKelvy – The Depot
Bertram McKowin – Aloha Hospitality / Baumhower’s
Marvin Morales – Perdido Beach Resort
Travis Pittman – PP Hospitality Group
Olga Tyus – The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa
Hospitality Department Manager of the Year:
Edneva Ayers -Huntsville Marriott at the Space & Rocket Center
Wade Combs – Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa
Kim Koger – Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa
Jonathan McKinney -Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa
Julie Mosley -Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook
Jessie Radcliff – Perdido Beach Resort
Mike Tatham – Valley Hotel
Tim Tribo – The Lodge at Gulf State Park
Restaurant Manager of the Year:
Robin Bashinsky – Blueroot
Cori Gaston – PP Hospitality Group
Amber Harris – Steelwood Country Club
Robyn Johnston – Vintage Café
Lee Jones – Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina
Justin Owens – 23 Court Cigar Bar
Brandon Zeller – ChurchStreet Family
Spirit Award:
Celina Aleman – Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa
Velpo Buckhanon – Ithaka Hospitality Partners
Allison Flowers – The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
Ashley Rambo – Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center
Anthony Terling – Auburn Opelika Tourism
This Year’s Finalists (Winners to be announced)
Best New Culinarian of the Year:
Agustin Echazarreta – The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
Jarrod Gravo – Perch Restaurant
Nicholas Song – The Depot
Chris Van Loon – PP Hospitality Group
Supplier of the Year:
Auto-Chlor Services
Croux
Lensea
TSC Associates
US Foods
Chef of the Year:
Pete Blohme – PP Hospitality Group
Luis Branez – ChurchStreet Family
Gregg Collier – Steelwood Country Club
Zach Compton – Aloha Hospitality International
John Eckstadt – Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort and Spa
David McLain – Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa
Amanda Trawick – The Laurel Hotel & Spa
Restaurateur of the Year:
King Braswell & Stacy Brown – Botanic
Nicole Hutto – Perdido Beach Resort
Matt & Stephanie Mell – ChurchStreet Family Hospitality
Brian Payne – Briquette’s Steakhouse
Jennifer Ryan – Blueroot
Tourism Promoter of the Year:
Melea Hames – Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
Small Hotelier of the Year:
Sanjay Patel – Baron Hospitality
Hotelier of the Year:
Josh Head – The Laurel Hotel & Spa
Humanitarian of the Year:
David & Joe Maluff – Full Moon BBQ
Lifetime Achievement
Judy Ryals – Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau