The Utah Restaurant Association in partnership with Utah Business Magazine hosted the annual “Restaurant Industry Awards Dinner” Tuesday, May 24, 2016 in the Grand America’s Grand Ballroom. The Awards Dinner honors professionals working in the Utah Restaurant Industry. It also affords the opportunity for busy owners, chefs, operators, employees, vendors, ProStart teachers and students, businesses and industry allies to gather in support and celebration of one another and the food service industry. Below is a full list of award recipients for 2016. Congratulations to all our award recipients and our industry for an incredible year of growth, community and success.
URA Heart Of The Industry Awards
Employee of the Year: Sasha Gray – Lagoon
Employee of the Year – Front of the House: Maria Bawden – Litza’s Pizza
Employee of the Year – Back of the House: Kendra Begay – Even Steven’s
Chef of the Year: Chef Dave Jones – Log Haven
Bartender of the Year: Scott Gardner – HSL
New Concept Awards
Quick Service: Jersey Mike’s Subs
Fast Casual: Pizzeria Limone
Fine Dine: HSL Restaurant
Lifetime Achievement: Jeanie Palmer – The Pie Pizzeria
Golden Spoon Award (Restaurateur of the Year): Eric & Scott Slaymaker
Silver Platter (Industry Ally): Utah Business Magazine & Sam Urie
Hall Of Fame: Tom Guinney – Gastronomy Inc.
ProStart Teacher Of The Year: Rebecca Sagers of Fremont High School
Sysco Intermountain ProStart Scholarship: Hailey Jefferies of Bonneville High School
TASTE UTAH AWARDS:
BAKE 360, Ballard Hog Farm, Beehive Cheese, Beltex Meats, Benja’s Thai & Sushi, Billy Blanco’s, Black Sheep Cafe, The Bluebird Restaurant, The Buffalo Grill, Chili Beak, Communal, The Copper Onion, Even Stevens, First Frost Farm, Grub Steak Restaurant, Handle, J&G Grill, Log Haven, Malena’s Cafe, Maddox Ranch House, Mandarin, Market Street Grill, Mazza, Mesa Farm Market, Milt’s Stage Stop, Milt’s Stop & Eat, Moab Brewery, Morgan Valley Lamb / Jones Creek Beef, Mountain View Mushrooms, Naked Fish Japanese Bistro, Roosters Brewing Co, Rosehill Dairy, Slide Ridge Honey, Solstice Chocolate, Stone Ground Bakery, Sunglow Cafe, Taqueria 27 and Tony Caputo’s Market & Deli.
TEEN CHEF MASTERS AWARDS:
Green Team Mentor chef: Briar Handly
Team: Daniel Funk, Darby Gundry, Alex Ghilchrist, Nena Carlstrom
Blue Team Mentor Chef: Logen Crew
Team: Xander Melandez, Sage Rieben, Samantha Anderson, Katie Jensen
Red Team Mentor Chef: Viet Pham
Team: Hallie Mckell, Madeline Black, Lauren Ostler, Gabriel Orullian
