theAwards
An annual celebration of leaders and companies in the hospitality industry that are committed to creating great places to work and having a positive impact on the people around them.
theCategories
There are 6 award categories! Review and nominate your peers and your companies. Limit one nomination per company per category.
*Submission deadline is November 1st, 2024
Heart Leader of the Year
Recognizing leaders who have made a significant impact on the people in their respective organizations. These are leaders who dedicate themselves to the growth of their team members both personally and professionally. They help them navigate challenging situations, push them to accomplish more than what they believe they can do, and foster an inclusive environment where the team can thrive. They embody what it means to be a Heart Leader.
Heart Leader on the Rise
Acknowledging individuals 35 years of age and younger who have demonstrated significant improvement and growth of their leadership abilities over the past year. These are leaders who have leaned in to the concepts of heart leadership and have taken an active role in fostering a strong company culture and desire to create a great place to work. Their energy and optimism unites the team and has helped build, strengthen, and maintain relationships between individuals, teams, and the organization. Watch out, they are truly a Heart Leader on the Rise!
MIBE of the Year
Recognizing companies who have made significant improvements (MIBE’s) to their company culture. Culture is something that must be focused on year-round. From physical changes to the workplace, to the way team members communicate, there are a multitude of ways to enhance the employee experience. This award celebrates the companies that have made culture a priority, and been intentional about creating a great place to work.
Best Activation of Core Values or Mission Statement
Recognizing companies that took their core values or mission statement to the next level in the past year. Organizations know they need to have core values and a mission statement, but they don’t always do a great job of making sure everyone in their organization knows what they are. This award celebrates companies that have implemented a creative way to communicate their values or mission statement.
Best Employee Recognition Program
Many studies have shown that recognition is a critical element to employees feeling positive about the work they do. When recognition is done in a meaningful way that is tied to specific accomplishment it enhances morale and provides a sense of purpose for employees. There are many ways to recognize team members and it doesn’t always have to have a monetary component. This award recognizes the most creative and impactful employee recognition program implemented or enhanced in the past year.
Best Company Event
Bringing a team together for an event is a great way to create fun in the workplace. It also serves as a way to celebrate success and strengthen relationships among team members. In the hospitality industry, we spend a lot of time helping other companies plan events and it’s important that we plan fun and creative events for our own teams as well. This award celebrates the most unique and creative team event put on by a company in the past year.
PAST FINALISTS, WINNERS & HONOREES
-
HEART LEADER OF THE YEAR
Bobby Woolwine | CIO | DelightMore Catering | *HONOREE*
Jen DeVos | Owner | Copper Kitchen | *HONOREE*
Laura Fabian | CEO | 24 Carrots Catering & Events | *HONOREE*
Nicole Cantrell | Head Chef | Firekeepers Casino & Hotel | *HONOREE*
Rachel Malecky | Director of Operations | Hamby Catering & Events | *HONOREE*
HEART LEADER ON THE RISE
Chelsie Mueller | Executive Chef | Mitchell Casteel | *HONOREE*
Colleen Kelly | Senior Wedding Planner | Avanti Mansion | *HONOREE*
Phoebe Hernick | Logistics Sous Chef | Partyman Catering | *HONOREE*
Rachael Anthony | Director of Operations | David Alan Hospitality Group | *HONOREE*
Ryan Jewell | Event Supervisor | Personal Touch Dining | *HONOREE*
MIBE of the Year
24 Carrots Catering & Events | Costa Mesa, CA | *WINNER*
David Alan Hospitality Group | Berlin, CT
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery | Denver, CO
Best Activation of Core Values or Mission
David Alan Hospitality Group | Berlin, CT | *WINNER*
DISH Food & Events | Queens, NY
Herrington on the Bay | North Beach, MD
Best Employee Recognition Program
Dover Hall | Manakin-Sabot, VA
Simply Fresh Events | Gaithersburg, MD
The Chef’s Table | Marshfield, MA | *WINNER*
Best Company Event
24 Carrots Catering & Events | Costa Mesa, CA | *WINNER*
Avanti Mansion | Buffalo, NY
Copper Kitchen | Baltimore, MD
-
HEART LEADER OF THE YEAR
Anna Chaney | Founder | Herrington on the Bay | *WINNER*
David Victor | Owner | On the Vine Catering
Dilushka Wanigatunga | VP Operations | Beets Hospitality
Jeremy Edmonds | VP People & Culture | Snooze | *WINNER*
Keyon Hammond | Co-Owner & Executive Chef | Get Plated Catering
Marina Patton | Director of Events | Domenico Winery
Matt Phelan | Owner/President | Simply Fresh Events | *WINNER*
Megan Palmer Rivera | CEO | Palmer’s Market, Catering & Events | *WINNER*
Nathaniel Neubauer | CEO/Owner | Contemporary Catering | *WINNER*
Paige Carney | Owner | Purple Onion Catering
HEART LEADER ON THE RISE
Allison Moening | Executive Pastry Chef | Copper Kitchen | *WINNER*
Jared Barnachea | Office Administrator | Catered Too!
Katelyn Reisma | Catering Manager | Vibrant Occasions Catering
Michelle Stout | Recreation Manager | APEX Park & Recreation District
Xavier Vasquez | Catering & Event Production Manager | NV Catering
MIBE of the Year
David Alan Hospitality Group | Berlin, CT | *WINNER*
Domenico Winery | San Carlos, CA
Herrington on the Bay | North Beach, MD
Best Activation of Core Values or Mission
Palmer’s Market, Catering & Events | Darien, CT | *WINNER*
Simply Fresh Event | Gaithersburg, MD
The Hometown Chef Catering Co. | Humble, TX
Best Employee Recognition Program
Cherry Creek School District | Centennial, CO | *WINNER*
David Alan Hospitality Group | Berlin, CT
The Chef’s Table | Marshfield, MA
Best Company Event
A Fare Extraordinaire | Houston, TX
Herrington on the Bay | North Beach, MD | *WINNER*
Partyman Catering | Avon, NY
-
HEART LEADER OF THE YEAR
Andrew Matroni | QC Catering | Charlotte, NC
AnnieLaurie Alkire | Preferred Sonoma Caterers | Petaluma, CA
David Lheureux | David Alan Hospitality Group | Berlin, CT | *WINNER*
JT Thomas | Partyman Catering | Avon, NY | *WINNER*
Lisa Ware | Catering by Michaels | Morton Grove, IL
Mary Krikorian | Vibrant Occasions Catering | Benton, AR | *WINNER*
Nathaniel Neubauer | Contemporary Catering | Encino, CA
Rachel Malecky | Hamby Catering | Charleston, SC
Serge Krikorian | Vibrant Occasions Catering | Benton, AR | *WINNER*
Steve Sanchez | JDK Group | Camp Hill, PA | *WINNER*
MIBE of the Year
Palmer’s Market, Catering & Events | Darien, CT
Partyman Catering | Avon, NY | *WINNER*
PEJ Events | Round Rock, TX
Best Activation of Core Values or Mission
Butlers Pantry | St. Louis, MO | *WINNER*
Hamby Catering | Charleston, SC
Vibrant Occasions Catering | Benton, AR
Best Employee Recognition Program
Palmer’s Market, Catering & Events | Darien, CT
Snooze | Denver, CO | *WINNER*
Vibrant Occasions Catering | Benton, AR
Best Company Event
Catering by Michaels | Morton Grove, IL
David Alan Hospitality Group | Berlin, CT
Palmer’s Market, Catering & Events | Darien, CT |*WINNER*