Kansas City’s Restaurant and hospitality awards announced in 20 categories for industry leaders

The Sept. 30 event featured a keynote address from celebrity chef and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich, immediately followed by the awards presentation, including Restaurateur and Company of the Year.

Kansas City Hospitality Employees of the Year AwardsThe GR Dinner, presented by Sysco, recognizes the outstanding contributions to the Kansas City restaurant industry by businesses and individuals though both the GKCRA’s members and allied members. Following the keynote address, the GKCRA announced 20 award recipients, honoring the top leadership in categories ranging from bartender, server, chef, philanthropist and media. All award-winners were nominated by an employer, customer or colleague and voted on by industry peers. None of the recipients were notified of their award in advance. Winners are as follows:

Bartender of the Year                                Name: Jayne Montgomery                                                                Name of Restaurant: Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen                              

Chef of the YearName: Rob MageeName of Restaurant: Q39

Host of the Year                                                                                 Name: Abigail Uche                                                                            Name of Restaurant: Seasons 52                                                     

Server of the YearName: Alex KneelandName of Business: Kingswood Senior Living

Manager of the Year                                                                          Name: Jeff Thrall                                                                                Name of Restaurant: Story                                                              

Porter of the YearName: Greg SchmidtName of Restaurant: Cascone’s Restaurant

Overall Employee of the Year                                                         Name: Brant Rosen                                                                            Name of Restaurant: Barley’s Brewhaus                                               

Heart of the House Employee of the YearName: Vince ParedesName of Business: Marriott Downtown

Office Employee of the Year                                                           Name: Lauren Makin                                                                         Name of Restaurant: KC Hopps                                                      

Allied Office Employee of the YearName: Vita GrantName of Business: Excel Linen Supply

Allied Employee of the Year                                                            Name: Tony DeAngelo                                                                                                                  Name of Business: C & C Produce                                                  

Media Person of the YearName: Derek KlausName of Business: Visit KC

ProStart Leader of the Year:                                                                                Name: Barbara Skoglund                                                                  Name of Business: NKC High School                                             

Rising Star of the YearName: Shelby FahrniName of Restaurant: Lidia’s Kansas City

Outstanding Allied Director of the Year                                       Name: Lynn Corbett                                                                         Name of Business: Heartland Payment Systems                                    

Edwin G. Gray Service AwardName: Marty EltonName of Restaurant: Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen

Hospitalitarian of the Year                                                                                             Name: Cathy Pickens                                                                       Name of Restaurant: Coach’s Bar and Grill

Philanthropist of the YearName: Tony MueheName of Business: Treat America Food Service and YMCA of Greater Kansas City

Work Horse AwardName: Jane RedmondName of Restaurant/Business: Edward Jones

Name: Janet DickeyName of Restaurant/Business: LongHorn Steakhouse

About Gilbert RobinsonThe Gilbert Robinson Dinner celebrates a standard of excellence set by former Kansas City restaurant firm, Gilbert-Robinson. Founded in 1961, the Kansas City-based restaurant company became a national leader in the industry with distinguished innovations in menu, decor and service. The group created several legendary concepts in the Kansas City market including Houlihan's, Bristol Seafood Grill, Fedora Café and Bar, Plaza III and Fred P. Ott's.

About Greater Kansas City Restaurant AssociationThe Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association (GKCRA) is a trade association with more than 600 members consisting of restaurants, caterers, hospitals, schools, institutions, clubs and in-plant cafeterias as well as vendors serving the local restaurant industry. Members work together to represent, educate and promote the restaurant and hospitality industries in the Missouri counties of Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte and Kansas counties of Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte. For more information on the GKCRA, “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GKCRA or follow GKCRA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GKCRA.

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