South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association announces Upstate Hospitality Award winners
October 10, 2019
The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) announced the winners for the 7th Annual Upstate Hospitality Awards, celebrating the exceptional professionalism and outstanding service of top individuals in the industry. The Awards Ceremony will be held Monday, November 4 at the Embassy Suites Golf Resort in Greenville.
The Upstate Hospitality Awards celebrate the exceptional professionalism and outstanding service of top individuals in the hospitality industry. Nominations are accepted from SCRLA members in the Upstate, including Anderson, Greenville, Pickens and Spartanburg Counties.
The winners include:
• Restaurant Front of the House Employee of the Year: LaVerne Young, Hostess at the Greenville Country Club
• Restaurant Heart of the House Employee of the Year: Phil Oostdyk, Chef de Cuisine at Hare & Field
• Restaurant Manager of the Year: Kirk Watkins, Director of Operations at Ruth’s Chris Steak House and UP on the Roof
• Restaurateur of the Year: Steve Seitz, COO and Vice President of Table 301 Restaurant Group
• Lodging Front of the House Employee of the Year: Emma Poppante, Desk Supervisor at The Abernathy
• Lodging Heart of the House Employee of the Year: Amal Fahmawi, Housekeeping Supervisor at the Greenville Marriott
• Lodging Manager of the Year: Ricky Florentin, Director of Engineering at the Greenville Marriott
• Hotelier of the Year: Bill Groves, General Manager at the Embassy Suites Greenville Golf Resort & Conference Center
• Outstanding Chef of the Year: Bryan Lindsay, Executive Chef at Thornblade Club
• Outstanding Bartender of the Year: Heather Hendrix, Bartender at Wild Ace Pizza & Pub
• Hospitality Educator of the Year: Drew Archer, ProStart Culinary Arts Instructor at Donaldson Career Center
• Hospitality Supplier of the Year (Small Company): Trey Francis, Owner of Francis Produce
• Hospitality Supplier of the Year (Large Company): Tina Somers, Territory Manager at US. Foods
• Outstanding Community Service Program (Small Company): Adam and Kelley Ashcraft, Owners of Jonescraft Restaurant & Hospitality Recruiters
• Outstanding Community Service Program (Large Company): Don Oglesby, President and CEO of Homes of Hope
• Outstanding Community Leader (Public Sector): Chris Stone, President and CEO of Visit Greenville
• Outstanding Community Leader (Private Sector): John Bauknight, Owner of The Silo @ RJ Rockers Brewing Company
John Bauknight
Award winners have the potential to win a statewide SCRLA Stars of the South Carolina Hospitality Industry Award in January. For more information about the Upstate Hospitality Awards, please visit www.scrla.org.
About the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association
In its 75th year, the SCRLA’s mission is to promote, protect and educate the foodservice and lodging industries of our state and to ensure positive business growth for our members. The SCRLA strives to represent the best interests of its members on small business issues, hospitality and tourism concerns and towards the protection of South Carolina’s quality of life.
