An unforgettable evening celebrating Ohio's Best & Brightest!February 23, 2020Hilton Columbus Downtown, George Bellows Ballroom
An unforgettable evening celebrating Ohio's Best & Brightest!February 23, 2020Hilton Columbus Downtown, George Bellows Ballroom
On February 23, 2020, the Ohio Restaurant Association is hosting it's annual awards celebration spotlighting the hard work, dedication and outstanding professional & community services of our members.
We recognize their extraordinary contributions and innovative ideas: their use of technology, charitable contributions, transformative products, and dedication to education.
Through a lifetime of passion and leadership, these champions of the Ohio restaurant, foodservice & hospitality industry exemplify what it means to be the best.
Scroll down to see our 2019 award winners.
Nominations are now closed for 2020. Thank you to all who sent in nominations. See you at the event!
Award Categories:
The Claude F. Morton, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award: The ORA’s highest award given to one restaurateur for exceptional lifetime service to the restaurant industry and his/her community. Nominees must have been an ORA member for 10+ years.
"Outstanding Restaurateur" Award: A restaurateur(s) recognized for his/her extraordinary contributions to the restaurant industry – a leader that implements innovative ideas, demonstrates passion for the industry and their community. One winner selected from the following regions: Northern Ohio, Central Ohio and Southern Ohio.
“Outstanding Vendor" Award: A company recognized for its exceptional service to the restaurant community.
“Outstanding Public Official” Award: This award honors public officials who fight for the best interest of small business owners and the restaurant community.
Outstanding Industry Educator: This award honors an educator who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the advancement of the Ohio foodservice industry.
Industry Innovator: This award is presented to an individual or company that has applied a new product or creative approach, resulting in the growth or transformation of their business.
Sparkle Award: This award honors a restaurant or company with an outstanding cleanliness and food safety record.
Tech Titan: Recognizing an individual or organization for their use of technology to enhance their business or impact the foodservice industry.
Rising Star: Honors an emerging leader in the foodservice industry – one whose work demonstrates ongoing exceptional growth and high potential for future impact.
Nourishing the Community: Recognizing an individual or organization for their outstanding contributions through community service or charitable involvement.
Front of the House Award: Serves as a model employee by displaying an outstanding work ethic, excellent customer service and is a leader among their peers. Nominees must be in a non-managerial position at an Ohio Restaurant Association member restaurant.
Back of the House Award: Serves as a model employee by displaying an outstanding work ethic, excellent attention to detail and is a leader among their peers. Nominees must be in a non-managerial position at an Ohio Restaurant Association member restaurant.
Hall of Fame: The ORA’s Hall of Fame was founded in 2018 with a purpose of recognizing the best and brightest leaders in the industry who have served with distinction and align with the ORA’s core values. To be nominated and considered for this prestigious designation, an individual or entity must have operated in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality business in Ohio for at least 25 years and be an ORA member.
Award Categories:
The Claude F. Morton, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award: The ORA’s highest award given to one restaurateur for exceptional lifetime service to the restaurant industry and his/her community. Nominees must have been an ORA member for 10+ years.
"Outstanding Restaurateur" Award: A restaurateur(s) recognized for his/her extraordinary contributions to the restaurant industry – a leader that implements innovative ideas, demonstrates passion for the industry and their community. One winner selected from the following regions: Northern Ohio, Central Ohio and Southern Ohio.
“Outstanding Vendor" Award: A company recognized for its exceptional service to the restaurant community.
“Outstanding Public Official” Award: This award honors public officials who fight for the best interest of small business owners and the restaurant community.
Outstanding Industry Educator: This award honors an educator who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the advancement of the Ohio foodservice industry.
Industry Innovator: This award is presented to an individual or company that has applied a new product or creative approach, resulting in the growth or transformation of their business.
Sparkle Award: This award honors a restaurant or company with an outstanding cleanliness and food safety record.
Tech Titan: Recognizing an individual or organization for their use of technology to enhance their business or impact the foodservice industry.
Rising Star: Honors an emerging leader in the foodservice industry – one whose work demonstrates ongoing exceptional growth and high potential for future impact.
Nourishing the Community: Recognizing an individual or organization for their outstanding contributions through community service or charitable involvement.
Front of the House Award: Serves as a model employee by displaying an outstanding work ethic, excellent customer service and is a leader among their peers. Nominees must be in a non-managerial position at an Ohio Restaurant Association member restaurant.
Back of the House Award: Serves as a model employee by displaying an outstanding work ethic, excellent attention to detail and is a leader among their peers. Nominees must be in a non-managerial position at an Ohio Restaurant Association member restaurant.
Hall of Fame: The ORA’s Hall of Fame was founded in 2018 with a purpose of recognizing the best and brightest leaders in the industry who have served with distinction and align with the ORA’s core values. To be nominated and considered for this prestigious designation, an individual or entity must have operated in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality business in Ohio for at least 25 years and be an ORA member.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2019 WINNERS!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2019 WINNERS!
Lifetime Achievement & Hall of Fame
Lifetime Achievement & Hall of Fame
Cameron Mitchell, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants
Cameron Mitchell, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants
Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
Billy Ingram, White Castle
Billy Ingram, White Castle
Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
Jeff Ruby, Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment
Jeff Ruby, Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment
Outstanding Public Officials
Outstanding Public Officials
Rep. Joyce Beatty & Rep. Steve Stivers
Rep. Joyce Beatty & Rep. Steve Stivers
Outstanding Restaurateur - North
Outstanding Restaurateur - North
Ray Horst, Das Dutch Haus
Ray Horst, Das Dutch Haus
Outstanding Restaurateur - South
Outstanding Restaurateur - South
Gary Rodriguez, El Rancho Grande Family of Restaurants
Gary Rodriguez, El Rancho Grande Family of Restaurants
Outstanding Restaurateur - Central
Outstanding Restaurateur - Central
Jessica & Thad Kittrell, 101 Beer Kitchen
Jessica & Thad Kittrell, 101 Beer Kitchen
Tech Titan
Tech Titan
Prakash Karamchandani, Balance Pan-Asian Grill
Prakash Karamchandani, Balance Pan-Asian Grill
Rising Star
Rising Star
Natalie & Jordan Helman, Zest Juice Co. & High Bank Distillery
Natalie & Jordan Helman, Zest Juice Co. & High Bank Distillery
Rising Star
Rising Star
Tanisha Robinson, BrewDog
Tanisha Robinson, BrewDog
Nourishing the Community
Nourishing the Community
El Vaquero Restaurants
El Vaquero Restaurants
Outstanding Vendor
Outstanding Vendor
Alliah Sheta, UnitedHealthcare
Alliah Sheta, UnitedHealthcare
Back of the House
Back of the House
Antonino Lopez, Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern
Antonino Lopez, Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern
Front of the House
Front of the House
Brandon Rose, Jeff Ruby's Precinct
Brandon Rose, Jeff Ruby's Precinct
Industry Innovator
Industry Innovator
Jim Taylor, Columbus State Community College
Jim Taylor, Columbus State Community College
Outstanding Educator
Outstanding Educator
Brandown Chrostowski, EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute
Brandown Chrostowski, EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute
ORA Staff Member - Core Values
ORA Staff Member - Core Values
Jennifer Nieuwstadt
Jennifer Nieuwstadt
