South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association to host its 67th Annual Stars of South Carolina Hospitality Industry Awards Gala
December 19, 2019
The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) will host its 67th Annual Stars of South Carolina Hospitality Awards Gala on January 21 at the Embassy Suites Airport Charleston Convention Center Hotel. Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette will be the keynote speaker.
The South Carolina Hospitality Stars of the Industry Awards has been recognizing outstanding performance in the hospitality industry for more than 65 years.
“Our state’s hospitality and tourism industry is booming, due in no small part to its exceptional work force which exemplifies the highest standards, and best practices, of the hospitality industry on a daily basis,” said John Durst, SCRLA’s President and CEO.
Our Stars of the Industry finalists include:
Hotelier of the Year
Bill Groves • Embassy Suites Greenville
Holly Penny • Courtyard by Marriott – Columbia
Lodging Manager of the Year
Jeff Anthony • Sonesta Resort
Ken Gillespie • Hampton Inn – Charleston
Lodging Front of House Employee of the Year
Andrew Coker • Hotel Domestique & Restaurant 17
Emma Poppante • The Abernathy
Lodging Heart of House Employee of the Year
Patricia Gardner • Caribbean Resort & Villas
Michael Hawes • Kings Courtyard
Restaurateur of the Year
Katie Gambrell & Diane Christofferson • Great Bay Oyster House
John Keener • Charleston Crab House
Restaurant Manager of the Year
Linda Barnaba • CentraArchy Restaurant Group
Kirk Watkins • Ruth’s Chris Steak House & UP on the Roof
Restaurant Front of House Employee of the Year
LaVerne Young • Greenville Country Club
Tiffany Doolittle • Dagwood’s Deli & Bumstead’s Pub
Restaurant Heart of House Employee of the Year
Mallory Lloyd • Bacon Brothers
Elvin Wilson • Original Pancake House
Outstanding Bartender of the Year
Brandon Etheridge • The Joint @ 1710 Main
Heather Hendrix • Wild Ace Pizza & Pub
Outstanding Chef of the Year
Bryan Lindsay • Thornblade Club
Danny Smith • Frank’s & Frank’s Outback
Winners will be announced at the gala in January. More information about tickets and sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.scrla.org. Tickets are $150 for SCRLA members and $250 for non-members.
About the SC Restaurant and Lodging Association
In its 75th year, the SCRLA represents more than 2,200 member companies and 210,000 employees across the state. Our 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.
