The Utah Restaurant Association hosted the 2023 Utah Restaurant Industry Awards Gala on May 20, 2023, to a sold-out audience of restaurant professionals, restaurant industry allies, Utah’s food and hospitality community and Utah ProStart students. The evening honored restaurant owners, employees and the first, second and third place Utah ProStart State Competitions winners in both the management and culinary competitions.

The highly anticipated restaurant awards were also handed out. The Utah Restaurant Association felt fortunate to have ABC4’s Good Things Utah Co-Host Nicea Degering as emcee over the evening’s festivities. Winners included Restaurateur of the Year’s Golden Spoon Award given to Ogden natives Kym and Pete Buttschardt of Roosters Brewing. Executive Chef and restaurateur Shon Foster of Kanab took home Chef of the Year, while Bill Athens of Nicholas & Company and Fred Boutwell, Market Street Grill were honored with the Chairman’s Award. Restaurant concepts of the year went to Oquirrh Restaurant in Salt Lake City, Sunday’s Best in Sandy, Dirty Bird Chxx with multiple locations throughout Utah and Thirst Happy Drinks & Treats. Heart of Hospitality awards went to Bar X and The Franklin both in Salt Lake City and Goldner Hirsch in Park City as outstanding hospitality establishments. Taste Utah Dining Destination awards were given away to over 25 restaurants showcase on the television series along with several counties throughout Utah as a part of the URA’s new initiative Taste Utah Road Tour: Food Worth Traveling For.

Westlake High School was recognized as “Team Utah” for winning Utah ProStart State Competition in both the culinary and management competitions. Diane Cluff, a retiring ProStart teacher from Provo High School was honored along with the late ProStart educator Judy Davis of West High School who passed away unexpectedly early in the school year.

It was an unforgettable evening celebrating community, friends, hard work and above all a deep care and love for the service industry and each member of Utah’s food and hospitality family who collaborate to craft Utah’s unique restaurant industry.

Full List Of Award Recipients:

2024 URA’s Industry Award Gala Nomination Forms are LIVE!