LINCOLN – The stars of the hospitality industry were recognized Wednesday night at Twin River Casino by the Rhode Island Hospitality Association and Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation.
The welcome address was given by Dale J. Venturini, president and CEO of the hospitality association during the annual Stars of the Industry event.
The following individuals were recognized as award winners:
RI Hospitality Association Stars of the Industry Award Winners
RI Hospitality Association Chairman’s Award
- Blackstone Valley Tourism Council
- Block Island Tourism Council
- Discover Newport
- Providence Tourism Council
- Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau
- South County Tourism Council
- Warwick Department of Tourism, Culture and Development
President’s Award
- Frank T. Galleshaw, III, Wright’s Farm restaurant
Hotelier of the Year
- Robert J. Burnetti, Hotel Viking
Restaurateur of the Year
- David Lahousse, The Lodge Pub & Eatery and Kay’s Restaurant
Vendor of the Year
- Ecolab
Vendor Representative of the Year
- Paul Fitzpatrick, Performance Food Group
- Joseph R. Gaudreau, Sysco Boston
Volunteer of the Year
- George McAuliffe, Mews Tavern
Chef of the Year
- Matthew R. Varga, Gracie’s
Mary Brennan Tourism Award
- Eric B. Weiner, FoodTrucksIn.com
Lifetime Achievement Award
- Vincenzo Iemma, Capriccio & Café Nuovo
Media Partner of the Year
- Providence Business News
Woman of the Year
- Tracy Rabar, Avenue N American Kitchen & The Pantry
Man of the Year
- Norman L. LeBlanc, CPA, Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co., Ltd.
Farm to Fork Excellence in Sustainability
- Nicks on Broadway
- Persimmon
- Tallulah
Hospitality Ambassador of the Year
- Rep. Lauren Carson
- Rep. William A. Walaska
RI Hospitality Education Foundation Stars of the Industry Award Winners
RI Hospitality Education Foundation Chairman’s Award
- Victoria Gailliard-Garrick, William M. Davies Jr. Career & Technical High School
Teacher of the Year
- Steven E. Kalble, Newport Area Career & Technical Center
Education Partnership of the Year
- R.I. Department of Health, Center for Food Protection
Education Ambassador of the Year
- Scott R. Jensen, R.I. Department of Labor & Training
Hotel Employee of the Year
- Megan Bell, Hampton Inn & Suites Providence – Downtown
- Bob Carmody, Hampton Inn & Suites Providence – Downtown
- Robert Adamo, Hampton Inn and Suites Providence – Warwick Airport
- Michael Lehn, Hampton Inn and Suites Providence – Warwick Airport
- Adam S. Rodi, Hampton Inn and Suites Providence – Warwick Airport
- Amy Buzzell, Hilton Garden Inn Providence
- Elizabeth Gonzales, Hilton Providence
- Ramona Pena, Hilton Providence
- Berkis Wilson, Hilton Providence
- Andrea K. Fumia, Hotel Viking Newport
- Selina D. Kardel, Hotel Viking Newport
- Juan Pleitez, Hotel Viking Newport
- Leslie Burns, Omni Providence Hotel
- Antonio Lopes, Omni Providence Hotel
- Jennifer McDaniel, Omni Providence Hotel
- Carlos Moscoso, Omni Providence Hotel
- Everton Gaskin, Providence Biltmore Hotel
- Ines Monteiro, Providence Biltmore Hotel
- Jorge Rodriguez, Providence Biltmore Hotel
- Larry Tunstall, Providence Biltmore Hotel
- Ingrid Marroquin, Providence Marriott Downtown
- Monique Vanover, Providence Marriott Downtown
- Florencio Vargas, Providence Marriott Downtown
- Walter Baker, Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel
- Courtney Maleakas, Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel
- Wilfredo Vargas Garcia, Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel
- Mike Carrier, Residence Inn by Marriott Warwick
Restaurant Employee of the Year
- Marena Bitar, Angelo’s Palace Pizza
- Jordyn Cruise, Angelo’s Palace Pizza
- Marco Morales, Angelo’s Palace Pizza
- Greg Coccio, Avvio Restaurante
- Robert Avarista, Café Nuovo
- Lori A. Rodger, Chelo’s Hometown Bar & Grille
- Danielle Anthony, Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse
- Gaetano Izzo Jr., Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse
- Freddie Rodriguez, Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse
- Brian Shottek, Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse
- Tom Dupre, Gregg’s Restaurants and Taverns Commissary
- Carl Priestly, Gregg’s Restaurants and Taverns Commissary
- Raymond “Skip” Vanasee, Gregg’s Restaurants and Taverns Commissary
- Debbie Craft, Gregg’s Restaurants and Taverns
- Ryan Daw, Harry’s Bar and Burger
- James Lane Buckley II, Hemenway’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar
- Amy Elliott, Howley Bread Group Ltd, a Franchisee of Panera LLC
- Dorverdra “Dove” Garrett, Howley Bread Group Ltd, a Franchisee of Panera LLC
- Tammi Lonergan, Howley Bread Group Ltd, a Franchisee of Panera LLC
- Safa Mansoor, Howley Bread Group Ltd, a Franchisee of Panera LLC
- Robin Thibeault, Howley Bread Group Ltd, a Franchisee of Panera LLC
- Jeff Farley, Siena Restaurant Group
- Balina Rosario, Siena Restaurant Group
- Julio Vargas, Siena Restaurant Group
- Daniel Cardoso, Twin River Casino
- John Gomes, Twin River Casino
- Christopher Burt, Wicked Good Bar & Grill
- Ricky Oldrid, Wicked Good Bar & Grill
Bartender of the Year
- Kerri Lynn Handrigan, Champlin’s Seafood Deck
- Jeffrey C. DeSautels, Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse
- Allison B. Willwerth, Shipyard and Blackstone Bar
Catering Employee of the Year
- Kevin Duffney, Pranzi Catering & Events
- Kevin DeBarros, Providence Biltmore Hotel
Tourism Employee of the Year
- Patricia Smurro, Discover Newport
- John V. Gibbons, Rhode Island Sports Commission
- Cynthia O’Malley, The Preservation Society of Newport County
- Derek McGurn, Twin River Casino
- Jason R. Vincellette, Twin River Casino
Allied Employee of the Year
- Joseph Lynch, Ecolab
- Louie Toulis, LAZ Ultimate Hospitality
- Christopher Magboo, Regency Plaza
Emerging Leader
- Nicole Christie, Hemenway’s Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar
- Rachel Mossbrook, Hilton Providence
- Corey Livingstone, Omni Providence Hotel
- Crystal Papino, Providence Biltmore Hotel
- Nathanial Williams, Siena Restaurant Group
- Lindsay Houle, The Dorrance