Nevada Restaurant Association Announces 2008 Culinary Excellence Awards
Prestigious awards highlight Nevada restaurant industry’s ‘shining stars’
September 12, 2008 — Highlighting the fact that restaurants truly are the cornerstones of their communities, Nevada’s culinary community came out in droves Sept. 10 to help honor their peers at the Nevada Restaurant Association 2008 Culinary Excellence Awards Gala held at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas.
“These awards are very important for us because we understand how crucial it is for all aspects of the industry to work together and to speak with a unified voice,” said NvRA Interim President/ CEO Katherine Jacobi.
“We have many people who deeply care about and work hard for our industry, so it was very difficult to select winners for our Culinary Excellence Awards. We are pleased to have the opportunity to recognize some of the most deserving individuals and companies. Every person who goes the extra mile for the restaurant industry is a winner. This year’s honorees are true examples of the dedication and spirit abundant in our industry.”
Governor Gibbons presented awards to outstanding individuals in three categories: Employee of the Year, Allied Member of the Year and Restaurateur of the Year. The winners of the 2008 Culinary Excellence Awards are:
- Employee of the Year: Jeff Ecker, Paymon’s Mediterranean Café and Lounge. Among many other efforts on behalf of the Nevada restaurant industry, Jeff has dedicated himself to helping the Nevada Restaurant Association choose the best credit card processing partner for NvRA members—a huge benefit that produces big savings for members. He went above and beyond the call of duty, recognizing the processing needs of his fellow restaurant peers and spent countless volunteer hours researching and analyzing data to locate the right partner for the association. No matter what the task, Jeff gives it 100% of his time and attention. He is the type of person whose honesty and integrity are proven beyond doubt.
- Allied/Vendor of the Year: Chef Kitti Sanderson, Chef & Culinary Specialist, U.S. Foodservice-Las Vegas Division. As the chef and culinary specialist for U.S. Foodservice, Las Vegas, Kitti Sanderson has the distinction of creating signature recipes for a wide range of restaurants and hotels in the Las Vegas area. She is a strong and tireless supporter of the Nevada hospitality industry. Not only does she assist chefs in menu design and product selection, she travels to other states as a representative of U.S. Foodservice while also acting as president of the local ACF chefs of Las Vegas and chair of Chef for Kids. She’s a busy lady and very effective spokesperson for our industry!
- Restaurateur of the Year: Joseph P. Micatrotto Jr., Micatrotto Restaurant Group. Joe is CEO of the Micatrotto Restaurant Group, which owns and currently operates three Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers in Las Vegas, with another location currently under construction. Founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge, LA., Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers operates 12 franchised and 58 company-owned restaurants in 13 states. The restaurant has one love — chicken fingers — and focuses its menu offerings on fresh, made-to-order chicken fingers, grilled Texas Toast brushed with garlic butter, fresh cole slaw and crinkle-cut French fries. Joe truly is a positive role model who has taken advantage of ability, hard work and opportunity to become the leader he is today.
Also recognized were the state finalists for the prestigious Restaurant Neighbor Award sponsored by the National Restaurant Association in partnership with American Express.
Event sponsors included: Deluca Liquor & Wine and its partners, Coors of Las Vegas and Nevada Wine Agent; as well as Graphics West, Carving Ice, Aqua Reign, Las Vegas Pressure Clean- Hood Cleaning Specialist, Republic Services, Custom Take Out Bags.com, Endless Vacation, Special Occasion Services, Table by the Window, Fiji Water, Maple Leaf Farm, Berkshire Pork and American Lamb Board and Network Broadcasting Photography.
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Founded in 1982, the Nevada Restaurant Association is the leading business association serving the needs of the food service operators in Nevada. As an affiliate of the National Restaurant Association, and together with the NvRA Educational Foundation, the Association’s mission is to represent, educate and promote the rapidly growing industry, which is comprised of more than 5,200 restaurant and foodservice outlets employing more than 150,000 people.
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