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STARS OF THE INDUSTRY AWARDS RECAP
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NOVEMBER 8, 2021
GRAND BOHEMIAN HOTEL MOUNTAIN BROOK
The winners of the 2021 Stars of the Industry Awards were announced Monday, November 8 at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook. The Stars of the Industry is the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association’s (ARHA) annual awards dinner honoring the restaurant, lodging, and tourism industry.
The Stars awards are peer-nominated and winners were selected by the Stars committee and ARHA’s board of directors. There were over 110 nominations submitted statewide and the winners in each of the eighteen categories were presented with trophies by the ARHA Chairman, Bob Omainsky.
The event began with an elegant reception while the regional bartender finalists competed in the state Bartender of the Year competition. Guests enjoyed a fabulous dinner prepared by Executive Chef Michael Rolling served with wine compliments of United-Johnson Brothers of Alabama.
Emerald Empire provided live musical entertainment, and Eunice Elliott, author, public speaker, life coach, and standup comedian, served as the emcee for the evening.
“The Stars awards dinner is our chance to recognize those who have demonstrated excellence and serve as an inspiration to others in the restaurant and hotel industry and our community. On behalf of ARHA, I am proud of the members we have and the outstanding accomplishments they make day in and day out,” says Mindy B. Hanan, President and CEO of the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association.
THANK YOU STARS SPONSORS
Alabama Gulf Seafood AL Mountain Lakes Tourist Association Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau Greater Birmingham CVB Broadcast Music Inc (BMI) Encore Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook Huntsville/Madison County CVB PP Hospitality Group Republic National Distributing Co. of AL Sculpture Hospitality Stock Yards Summit Investments Group of Gadsden LLC The Hotel at Auburn University US Foods Westin Hotel Huntsville
Lifetime Achievement Award
HERB MALONE
GULF SHORES & ORANGE BEACH TOURISM
In 1993, the economy of the Gulf Coast began to change. The Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau or Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism as it is known today, was established to fulfill the need of destination marketing in this area of the state. Leading the way was President/CEO Herb Malone, a champion for the Gulf Coast who believed in sharing our natural wonders with others.
His fascination and love for the area grew from a young age. Herb was born and raised in Citronelle and his father worked at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile. During his childhood, his parents purchased a lot on the Fort Morgan peninsula and built a small house on the bay where he spent every summer.
After graduating from high school, Herb Malone went on to study business administration and play football at Livingston State College (now the University of West Alabama). During his time at Livingston, the football team won the NAIA National Championship and he met and married his wife Bessie. Following college, Herb had a brief stint with the Atlanta Falcons.
After moving his family to Gulf Shores in 1978, he became very engaged with the community, joining city clubs, volunteering as a firefighter and running for Gulf Shores City Council where he served two and a half terms. He was also recruited and elected the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber board of directors chairperson. From 1988 to 1993, Herb was the CEO of the Alabama Coastal Business Chamber.
When casino gambling came to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1990, the formation of the CVB was hopefully the answer to not left Alabama’s Gulf Coast get left behind. And the rest is history.
Herb’s ability to handle any crisis that affects the area is remarkable. Throughout the years, he has been responsible for countless initiatives, including birding trails, the byway system, Leave Only Footprints, and cleanup and recovery efforts after the oil spill and many hurricanes. Herb’s greatest personal achievement is helping the community bounce back from the tropical occurrences, oil spill and now the pandemic.
Herb Malone’s devotion to the community is unreal and he is one of a kind and a leader that we all should aspire to be like. He grew and changed and developed as his role required him to, and not everybody has that ability.
Malone is retiring later this year and plans to enjoy his time and stay busy. He has two grandchildren in the Birmingham area, and he looks forward to dance recitals and tee-ball games. He also plans to work on honing his skills when it comes to his hobbies which are fishing, golf, and outdoor photography. We wish him the best of luck and we should ALL thank him for helping make Alabama’s Gulf Coast area what it is today!
Legislator of the Year Award
ARHA Lobbyist Jeff Miller (Miller Development Group) presents Senator Dan Roberts with the 2021 Legislator of the Year Award.
SENATOR DAN ROBERTS
R-AL, ALABAMA DISTRICT 15
The 2021 ARHA Legislator of the Year is Senator Dan Roberts, R-Mountain Brook, in State Senate District 15, which presently covers parts of Jefferson, Shelby and Talladega counties. In the Senate, Roberts has focused on economic development, improving education and workforce development.
Roberts is a distinguished businessman with experience in international trade and real estate. He was elected to the Alabama Senate in November 2018. Since taking office in 2018, Roberts has been heavily involved in addressing the state’s tax policies. During the 2021 regular legislative session, he was the Senate sponsor for legislation that allowed pandemic related payments received by companies to be excluded from state income taxation, and legislation allowing pass through entities to participate in the Growing Alabama tax credit.
Restaurateur of the Year Award
JUD BLOUNT
VINTAGE HOSPITALITY - MONTGOMERY
Jud Blount has 25 years of restaurant and hospitality experience. His vast knowledge has allowed him to master all aspects of the industry and cultivate future innovative concepts. Born and raised in Montgomery, Jud attended the University of Alabama studying Business Administration and Management. Prior to taking over Vintage Year in Montgomery, he was the President, CEO & Co-Owner of Filet & Vine for 19 years where he grew it to be Central Alabama’s largest specialty market, deli and bottle shop. In 2018, he opened Vintage Cafe, a coffee shop and daytime eatery. In 2021, Blount will complete the extensive City Fed restoration project that will include Ravello, a new Italian eatery, along with several private event spaces. Additionally, he has purchased the Grove Park Apartments in Montgomery and has started a renovation.
Jud and his wife Martha have two children. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, hunting, fishing, and live music. A member and on the Board of Trustees of Fitzpatrick United Methodist Church, he is also very active in his community.
Hotelier of the Year
ANDREW DOROUGH
CRESCENT HOTELS & RESORTS (THE WESTIN HUNTSVILLE)
Andrew is the Regional Manager of Operations for Crescent Hotels & Resorts. Before his recent promotion this summer, he served four years as the General Complex Manager for The Westin Huntsville. In 2020, Andrew was named the “General Manager of the Year” for all Crescent Hotels & Resorts. While under his leadership, The Westin Huntsville was named the #1 hotel in Alabama for 2020, according to the U.S. News & World Report hotel rankings. U.S. News analyzed more than 30,000 hotels to find the best in the USA, Europe, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean, based on reputation among travel experts, guest reviews and hotel class ratings. The Westin Huntsville, a AAA Four Diamond hotel, also received the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award for 2019 and was named to the Top 20 Hotels in The South. Andrew serves on the ARHA Board of Directors and his contributions to the Association are immeasurable. The Westin Huntsville has graciously hosted numerous meetings for ARHA through the years, including the Huntsville regional bartender competitions. The hotel also hosted the annual ProStart student culinary and management competitions in 2019 and 2021. Andrew’s leadership skills are top notch. He has definitely earned his place as a leader in the hospitality industry in Huntsville and beyond.
Chef of the Year
CHEF SCOTT SIMPSON
THE DEPOT - AUBURN
Chef Scott Simpson is the Executive Chef at The Depot, an upscale sustainable seafood-centric restaurant, in the Auburn Train Depot. He has traveled around the world cooking dishes that feature seafood in locations such as Mexico, Bali, and Jamaica. Chef Simpson is now plating up these specialties in the city Auburn and gaining critical acclaim for The Depot restaurant.
He won First Place in the 6th Annual Alabama Seafood Cook-off this year and went on to represent the entire state of Alabama at the Great American Seafood Cook-off. Chef Scott has an unrivaled commitment to sustainable seafood and Alabama seafood/oyster farmers. He was also named as the first James Beard Smart Catch leader and first restaurant to fully certify their commitment to sustainable seafood with the James Beard Foundation. Under his guidance, The Depot received the prestigious Wine Spectator award for a 6th year in a row and received a reader’s choice award with Opelika-Auburn News.
Spirit Award
ALLEN HONEYCUTT
SQUID INK ECLECTIC EATS AND DRINKS - MOBILE
Allen came into the industry by way of Easter Seals. He started working as a silverware roller and tray liner at a restaurant in Mobile called SQUID INK. He has the determination to overcome all his limitations and prefers to do things on his own to further develop his abilities. He was born with a very rare disease, Usher Syndrome which has caused Allen to lose his eyesight, hearing and balance. This was first diagnosed in his adolescent years. He has shown how he has overcome his personal challenges and hardships by living and taking care of himself and taking the bus every single day regardless of the weather or how he feels. Allen shows up to work early and with a huge smile and is a hard worker. Allen took the time to figure out how to line up the napkin and fold its corners to allow speed and accuracy. He secured paperclips to the table marking the placement as to never miss how to fold it. Recently, due to Covid, the restaurant decided to “temporarily “suspend his position to keep him safe. He checks in weekly to see if there is anything he can do at home such as folding t-shirts or paper to-go menus. Allen is truly a delight to his coworkers and the entire community!
Savor Mobile’s Flavors
Where southern classics are infused with culinary innovation
Small Hotelier of the Year
TOBY WILSON
WILSON HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT - TUSCALOOSA
Toby Wilson is the President and owner of Wilson Hospitality Management, Inc. Wilson Hospitality manages three hotels in: Hampton Inn Tuscaloosa-East, Hampton Inn Tuscaloosa -University and Holiday Inn Express & Suites.
Toby began his career in the hospitality industry in 1994 as a bellman at Hotel Capstone located on the campus of the University of Alabama. He quickly moved up the ranks and is a prime example of how one can succeed in our industry. Toby is an outstanding leader who has a solid work ethic, is a fair-minded employer and displays class in how he manages people which earned him the respect from those in the business community. He is generous, loyal and his citizenship is always at the forefront. Toby has volunteered his time including serving on the boards of ARHA Tuscaloosa Chapter, Tuscaloosa Sports Foundation, Tuscaloosa Sports & Tourism, and many other organizations. He is a past-chairman of ARHA as well. Toby is dedicated to the industry, his community and his business.
Best New Culinarian of the Year
CHEF CHRIS MOORE
THE YARD AT ELYTON HOTEL - BIRMINGHAM
Chef Chris moved from the Biltmore Estate to reopen The Yard at the Elyton post-Covid and to make her mark on the food scene in Birmingham. Quick to take the reigns of a hotel restaurant that was struggling pre-covid, she quickly identified a team of non-traditional culinarians. She trained up a team of dishwashers, Publix grocery baggers and banquet servers to reopen a 4-star dining experience focused on local providers. Drawing on her midwest upbringing and Carolina influence, Chris created a “dining destination” in downtown Birmingham by participating in every “Eat in the Street” promotion and Restaurant Week to get the F&B industry moving again. Chef Chris takes an active role in promoting the industry and teaching the next generation of culinarians.
Humanitarium Award
MATT HOOD
HOTEL CAPSTONE TUSCALOOSA
Matt Hood is the rooms division coordinator and revenue director for Hotel Capstone Tuscaloosa on the University of Alabama campus.
A graduate of Lawrence County High School in 2004, Hood came to Tuscaloosa in 2009 to attend the University of Alabama, from which he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Matt stays very busy in his free time serving others. He volunteers and is involved with numerous organizations such as Tuscaloosa Tourism & Sports, United Way of West Alabama, Read Bama Read, but is most passionate about organizations that serve residents with special needs, such as Best Buddies, the Miracle League of Tuscaloosa and Arts ’n Autism.
THANK YOU,
Restaurant & Hospitality Workers!
On behalf of Visit Tuscaloosa, we are so grateful for you, our restaurant and hospitality partners. You work tirelessly to provide for the communities that we call home and create experiences that are second to none.
Supplier of the Year
CLAYTON TAYLOR
ALABAMA INSURANCE EXCHANGE - BIRMINGHAM
Clayton Taylor is no stranger to the Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association. He has served multiple terms on the ARHA Board of Directors and Clayton was one of the original implementers of Alabama Restaurant Association’s Workers Compensation program and supplied the core group of restaurant clients for ARA’s state fund approval in 1995. Since that time, he has been a true advocate of the association sponsored Workers Compensation program with AlaCOMP. Most recently, Clayton has been one of the driving forces in leveling the playing field between Alabama’s Restaurant and Bar owners and the Alabama’s stringent dram shop statutes. He volunteers and supports ARHA’s annual Grand Pineapple Golf Challenge tournament and is a huge part of its success. Clayton is a regular contributor to ARHA’s magazine, ARHA NOW, providing insightful articles about insurance and risk management for our members. Also, he supports the magazine by ongoing advertising. Personally, Clayton still finds time to assist local physicians who seek his assistance in speaking with patients and survivors of head & neck cancers.
Restaurant Insurance Coverage Specialist Since 1979.
Property Insurance Restaurant Liability Auto & Delivery Crime Excess Umbrella Workers Compensation Liquor Liability Employment Related Discrimination Trade Name Restoration Food Borne Illness
All Types of Restaurants - Family, Fast Food, White Tablecloth Special Programs for Franchise Operations Bars & Taverns
2032 Valleydale Road Birmingham, AL 35244 CLAYTON TAYLOR, ext. 103 205.988.0800 800-476-0801 clayton@aieins.com
Tourism Promoter of the Year
KEELY LAW
MARRIOTT SHOALS HOTEL & SPA - FLORENCE
Keely Law is one of the most passionate people you will ever meet. Alabama has always been home to Keely and specifically Florence and the Shoals Area. Growing up Keely’s family introduced her to the great heritage of Alabama and she is honored to share our great state with others. Many hotel sales people simply sell their hotel and its perks and amenities. As a sales manager at Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa, Keely sells the destination and describes to people just what they will see and shares her own experiences at attractions across the entire state. Having formed great alliances with travel and tour planners over the years of attending travel shows and conferences, her enthusiasm and genuineness about Alabama and the Shoals Area have brought hundreds of tours into the state that very likely would never have taken a second glance at Alabama.
Keely Law is the epitome of a tourism promoter from her gold record business cards to her infectious personality. Keely has worked to put a keen focus on the state of Alabama with both domestic and international travelers.
Restaurant Manager of the Year
HEATHER TUTEN
THE DEPOT - AUBURN
Heather has been with The Depot since it opened six years ago. Moving up from server to manager, she has walked the delicate line of managing her former peers and creating a fun working environment that knows when to get down to business. Heather has a talent for anticipating her staff’s needs and jumping in when needed, offering guidance when necessary and providing motivation on a regular basis. Heather has also created strong bonds with many in the community which help to sustain the restaurant through the pandemic when times were really difficult.
Hospitality Manager of the Year
TAYLOR LILES
HOTEL INDIGO TUSCALOOSA DOWNTOWN
Taylor has been a dynamic leader at Hotel Indigo since she began in July 2020. She had previous experience in the industry and even trained at Disney! This landed her the job of Sales & Catering Coordinator, a position that she was certainly overqualified for – but was eager to get back to work following the pandemic shutdown. Taylor exceeds expectations on a daily basis and was soon promoted to Sales & Catering Manager. This has been the hotel’s most successful year for events since the hotel opened in 2016, and due largely in part to Taylor’s focus and dedication on the job.
Front of the House Restaurant Employee
KELLEY LAND
ARICCIA CUCINA ITALIANA - AUBURN
Kelly joined Ariccia as a server in 2018, helping the restaurant navigate one of their busiest years to date. She was promoted to trainer the following year and helped improve benchmark goals. Most notably, she is a wife and mother of two children and accomplished all of this while being a full-time student in the Auburn University Hospitality Management Program. Upon graduation, Kelly was named to full-time supervisor of Ariccia earlier this year. She has continued to excel in her role and and helped to grow the restaurant. Kelly now also assists with teaching practicum in the same hospitality program she graduated from a few months ago.
Front of the House Hospitality Employee
ALEX BURTON
RENAISSANCE BIRMINGHAM ROSS BRIDGE GOLF RESORT & SPA
Alex is a front desk agent at Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa. She embodies what it means to provide excellent hospitality to not only the hotel’s guests, but her fellow peers. Alex has been instrumental in lifting the hotel’s “Elite Appreciation” scores and has gained a multitude of mentions and positive remarks from guest satisfaction surveys. She always volunteers to work late or assist when the hotel is short-staffed. Alex provides the upmost attention to detail and is always striving to learn new things to advance her career in the hotel industry.
Back of the House Hospitality Employee
Back of the House Restaurant Employee
SUZANNE BOLTON
MARRIOTT SHOALS HOTEL & SPA - FLORENCE
Suzanne is an outstanding associate and goes above and beyond what her title of administrative assistant suggests. She took on the huge task of streamlining the hotel’s culinary ordering and inventory processes which has dramatically cut food costs and reduced the amount of time it takes to prepare food. Also, Suzanne is willing to jump in anywhere across the property to make sure that the hotel is delivering great guest experiences and that the associates feel supported. You will never hear Suzanne say something is, “not her job” and she is a true asset to Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa.
MIRANDA GREEN
MANCI’S ANTIQUE CLUB- DAPHNE
Miranda is the Kitchen Manager for Manci’s Antique Club located in Daphne. She is a fantastic cook, especially when it comes to grilling. Despite losing family members to Covid and staying super busy helping take care of her seven grandchildren, Miranda always has a special way of lighting up the room. She has worked the brunch shift on Sundays since coming to work at Manci’s five years ago. She may not make it to Sunday church services, but she brings her gospel music to the kitchen and makes sure her coworkers know it is time for Jesus.
PROUDLY OFFERS ITS
ASSOCIATION GROUP HEALTH PLAN!
BENEFITS AND COVERAGE
• We offer BCBS medical and dental coverage for single, married, and family plans
SMOOTH TRANSITION
• Members on an existing health plan are eligible to participate in the ARHA Health
Plan. Open Enrollment is a qualifying event to change coverage.
DEDUCTIBLES
• In-network deductibles:
Single - $500, Family - $1,000
