Stars of the Industry
2025 Finalists and Winners
The Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner is an annual celebration that honors outstanding professionals in the state's hospitality industry. This prestigious event recognizes exceptional individuals and teams in restaurants, hotels, tourism and hospitality management across Alabama.
The awards span a variety of categories, including:
This event is a cornerstone of Alabama’s hospitality and restaurant community, celebrating the dedication and excellence of those who make the industry shine!
Join us at the Annual Stars of the Industry Awards Dinner!
2025 Stars of the Industry Award Winners
Front of the House Restaurant
- Jennifer Britain – The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- MacKenzie Gilliam – The Depot
- Evan Hursey – The Depot
- Thomas Kennedy – ChurchStreet Family
- Cole Maulden – Aloha Hospitality
- Bertram McGowin – Aloha Hospitality
- Juanita Rankins- Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Davis Rodgers – PP Hospitality Group
- Amber Roy – Aloha Hospitality
- Stuart Strachan – Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel & Conference Center- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Collin Tomesello – The Hound
- Carsen Washington – PP Hospitality Group
- John Kenneth Washington – Courtyard by Marriott Northport
- Kitty White – Ithaka Hospitality Partners
Back of the House Restaurant
- Shamonica Beasley – Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Terrance Davis – Central Restaurant
- Minerva Dominy – Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Madison Duncan – Aloha Hospitality
- Hugo Gasca – PP Hospitality Group
- Olivia Hester – The Depot
- Jeran Holden – Aloha Hospitality
- Patrick Lee – The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- James Nichols – Perdido Beach Resort
- Thomas Robertson – PP Hospitality Group
- Hope van der Riet – 1856 – Culinary Residence
- Roderick Watkins – PP Hospitality Group
Front of the House Hospitality
- Brady Beane – The Hotel at Auburn University
- Anna Conger – 1856 – Culinary Residence
- Allee Cooper – The Hotel at Auburn University
- Beverly Daniels – Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel & Conference Center- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Barbara Lewis – Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Mod Lumpkin – Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Monika Markova – Perdido Beach Resort
- Sherry Meggs – Aloha Hospitality
- Kylie Oldewage – The Hotel at Auburn University
- Tyra Rogers – Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook
- Trace Scalf – Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Alexus Williams – Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
Heart of the House Hospitality
- Jer’Monn Abraham – The Laurel Hotel & Spa
- Alberto Aniceto – Perdido Beach Resort
- Susana Bonilla – The Hotel at Auburn University
- Jordan Burton – Greenawalt Hospitality
- John Flanagan – Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook – Habitat Feed & Social
- Charles Hyter – 106 Jefferson, Curio by Hilton
- Caleb Lee – The Hotel at Auburn University
- Brittney Nix – The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Teresa Owens – Elevation Convening Center & Hotel
- Lisa Russell – Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Brian Sparks – Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook
- Earl Williams – The Hotel at Auburn University
- Kikeisha Wilson – The Hotel at Auburn University
- Ed Woods – Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
Restaurant Leadership Award
- Cheryl Blohme – PP Hospitality Group
- MacKenzie Gilliam – The Depot
- Jacob Hoop – The Hotel at Auburn University
- Mary Key – Pannie-George’s Kitchen
- Brandon Zeller – ChurchStreet Family
Hospitality Leadership Award
- Sarah Brisco – Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook
- Corey Burton – Elevation Convening Center & Hotel
- Lori Clanton – 106 Jefferson, Curio by Hilton
- Anna Dobbel – Greenawalt Hospitality
- Casey Gamblin – The Laurel Hotel & Spa
- Eduardo Gomes – Perdido Beach Resort
- Shannon Johnson – Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Maggie Randall – Thrive Here @Auburn
Restaurant Manager of the Year
- Cori Gaston – PP Hospitality Group
- Stephanie Jackson – Aloha Hospitality
- Justin Owens – 23 Court Cigar Bar
- Coe Taylor – Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook
- Collins White – ChurchStreet Family
- Greg Wilson – ChurchStreet Family
Hospitality Department Manager
- Alex Brown – Thrive Here @Auburn
- Jillian Cooper – 106 Jefferson, Curio Collection by Hilton
- Patricia Fagan – The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Shanae Forbes – Perdido Beach Resort
- Daniel Fuernrohr – The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Anna Hawkins – Greenawalt Hospitality
- Lauren Miller – Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Nicole Moore – Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Andrew Patterson – Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook
- Ann Penabad – The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Abbie Wilson – Greenawalt Hospitality
Spirit Award
- Niall Fraser – The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Terry Heverly – The Alamite Hotel – Aurora Hospitality Partners
- Sandy Jones – Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Selina Kraft – PP Hospitality Group
- Tamira Latham – Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Marcie McMath – Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Symone Thomas – Staybridge Suites Montgomery Downtown- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Adrienne Tolbert – Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
Humanitarian Award
- Bobby Greenawalt – Greenawalt Family Foundation
- David & Joe Maluff – Full Moon Bar-B-Que
- Teresa Taylor – Yedla Management Company – Good Culture
- Matt & Stephanie Mell – ChurchStreet Family
Best New Culinarian of the Year
- Jessica Ash – Perdido Beach Resort
- Adelyn Gaither – The Westin Huntsville
- Reid Goram – ChurchStreet Family
- Clayton Karseno – Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook
- Mary Key – Pannie-George’s Kitchen
- Jessica Lane – Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel & Conference Center- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Clayton Pepple – The Alamite Hotel – Aurora Hospitality Partners
- Leonardo Rubin – The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection- PCH Hotels & Resorts
2025 Stars of the Industry Award Finalists
Tourism Promoter of the Year
- Karen Beasley – Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
Chef of the Year
- Chris Green – Central Restaurant
- Shelby Hammer – PP Hospitality Group
- Colton Hubbert – Sheffield Public House
- Juventino Manuel – ChurchStreet Family
- Marie McGarry – Central Restaurant
- David McLain – Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Robbie Nicolaisen – The Hound
- Austin Salinas – Hatch Eatery
- Mike Wehner – The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection- PCH Hotels & Resorts
- Mike Wilson – Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook
Sweet Grown Alabama Restaurant
- Purveyor Huntsville
- The Depot Modern American Seafood & Steak Brasserie
- Habitat Feed & Social
Supplier of the Year
- Southern Glazers
- Wine & Spirits Sysco
- United Distributors of Alabama LLC
Small Hotelier of the Year
- Tiffiany Holmes – Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook
Hotelier of the Year
- Rick Smith – Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa- PCH Hotels & Resorts
Restaurateur of the Year
- Marlon Cheatham – Central Restaurant
- Matt & Jana Poirier – The Hound, The Depot