Utah Restaurant Awards
The Utah Restaurant Association celebrated its 75th anniversary and awarded food industry professionals at its annual Restaurant Industry Gala May 6 at the Grand America Hotel.
Legacy Awards went to Vasilios Priskos, Senator Orrin Hatch, former Deer Valley food & beverage director Julie Wilson, and Melva Sine, URA president, for contributions to Utah’s restaurant industry.
Utah Del Taco received the National Restaurant Association’s Neighbor Award, a Silver Workplace Safety award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award for owner Paul Hitzelberger.
The prestigious Golden Spoon, or Restaurateur of the Year award was given to Michael McHenry, CEO of Even Steven’s Sandwiches. Even Stevens was also recognized with a National Restaurant Association Neighbor Award.
The Hall Of Fame award went to Glee Zumbrunen of Brick Oven Pizza and Robert “Sully” Sullivan of Utah Food Services.
Executive Chef and Partner in the New Yorker, Will Pliler, was named Chef Of The Year. Yelena Caputo, of Caputo’s Market & Deli received The Heart Of The Industry award and The Eating Establishment received Bar Program of the Year. The Chairman’s Award acknowledged Governor Gary Herbert. URA President Meva Sine honored Representative Greg Hughes and Senator Stuart Adams with her 2018 President’s Award.
The “Best New Concept” awards winners included Sego Restaurant in Kanab for Fine Dining, Nomad Eatery in Salt Lake City for Casual Dining, Vessel Kitchen in Park City for Fast Casual and Freshies Lobster Co. of Park City for Quick Service.
The gala also highlighted the URA’s ProStart Program, a school-to-career program in 62 Utah high schools. Teacher of the Year was awarded to Shelly Mendenhall of Desert Hills High School. ProStart Student of the Year was Westlake’s Hunter Reben who will received a $10,000 scholarship from Sysco Intermountain. This year’s ProStart Culinary and Management champions were also recognized along with regional winners. State champions for culinary, Westlake High School and management, Provo High School represented as team Utah last month at the National ProStart Invitational.
The restaurant industry provides jobs for over 100,000 people in Utah.