Inaugural NYC Hospitality Alliance Awards Draws SRO Crowd

Bill Bonbrest (TAO); Paul Seres (Helios Hospitality); Fred Cerullo (Grand Central Partnership); Robert Bookman (Pesetsky & Bookman); Council Member Rory Lancman; Mitch Banchik (NYC Best Bars)
  • BelGioioso Burrata
  • Atosa USA
  • Imperial Dade
  • Inline Plastics Safe-T-Chef
  • T&S Brass Eversteel Pre-Rinse Units
  • DAVO Sales Tax
  • Simplot Frozen Avocado
  • RAK Porcelain
  • McKee Foodservice
  • Red Gold Sacramento
  • AyrKing Mixstir
  • Texas Pete
  • Day & Nite
  • RATIONAL USA
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Last month the New York City Hospitality Alliance, a membership-based association founded in 2012 that aims to foster the growth and vitality of the hospitality industry, hosted its inaugural awards ceremony at the iconic Marquee nightclub in Manhattan. The event celebrated the restaurants, bars, nightlife establishments, and professionals throughout the five boroughs that have made an impact on the city’s booming hospitality industry.

“It was an amazing night,” says Andrew Rigie, the Executive Director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance. “We are a passionate industry and it’s important to recognize the hard work and dedication these individuals and businesses put into their craft. Hospitality is an art, and we are so proud to honor and celebrate their contributions.”

Doug Griebel (Rosa Mexicano & NYC Hospitality Alliance) & Sabato Sagaria (Union Square Hospitality Group)
Doug Griebel (Rosa Mexicano & NYC Hospitality Alliance) & Sabato Sagaria (Union Square Hospitality Group)

Award winners were determined by the majority vote submitted by subscribers of the New York City Hospitality Alliance distribution list (*unless otherwise noted), and were announced last month at the ceremony.

Award categories and winners are:

Big Apple Legacy Award – Goes to an individual whose success and influence will leave a lasting impact on the NYC hospitality industry.
Winner: Jeffrey Bank, The Alicart Restaurant Group (Carmine’s & Virgil’s Real Barbecue)

  • DAVO Sales Tax
  • Simplot Frozen Avocado
  • Atosa USA
  • Texas Pete
  • Inline Plastics Safe-T-Chef
  • RATIONAL USA
  • Imperial Dade
  • RAK Porcelain
  • Day & Nite
  • AyrKing Mixstir
  • McKee Foodservice
  • BelGioioso Burrata
  • Red Gold Sacramento
  • T&S Brass Eversteel Pre-Rinse Units

Philanthropy Served Here Award Goes to a hospitality industry company and charitable organization that work together to make the neighborhoods of NYC a more hospitable place – with a focus on the restaurant industry.
Winner: fresh&co / Food Education Fund

Sonali Jhurani (NYC Hospitality Alliance); Paul Seres (Helios Hospitality & NYC Hospitality Alliance); Nikita Scott (NYC Hospitality Alliance); Andrew Rigie (NYC Hospitality Alliance)
Sonali Jhurani (NYC Hospitality Alliance); Paul Seres (Helios Hospitality & NYC Hospitality Alliance); Nikita Scott (NYC Hospitality Alliance); Andrew Rigie (NYC Hospitality Alliance)

Next Generation Award – Goes to an up-and-coming or established mover and shaker who is still early in their hospitality industry career *winner selected by Judge’s Committee.
Winner: John Meadow (LDV Hospitality)
Nominees: John Meadow (LDV Hospitality); Joseph Johnson (The Cecil and Minton’s); Deuki Hong (The Circle Hospitality Group)

The Determination Award – Goes to an individual who started at an entry-level job in the hospitality industry and is now in a leadership role *winner selected by Judge’s Committee.
Winner: Robert McGovern (The Refinery Hotel)

Hearts of Hospitality Award presented by Fox Rothschild LLP – Goes to an individual who is recognized for excellence in the profession of human resources in hospitality *winner selected by Human Resource Professionals in Hospitality.
Winner: Angie Buonpane (Union Square Hospitality Group)
Nominees: Angie Buonpane (Union Square Hospitality Group); Susan Spikes (Hill Country Hospitality); Yvonne Mancini (Crafted Hospitality)

Tren’ness Woods-Black (Sylvia’s Restaurant); Melba Wilson (Melba’s Restaurant); Steve Gold (Master Purveyors)
Tren’ness Woods-Black (Sylvia’s Restaurant); Melba Wilson (Melba’s Restaurant); Steve Gold (Master Purveyors)

Four Stars Award – Goes to a critic/reviewer/writer who has established an industry-following for hospitality news coverage.
Winner: Ryan Sutton (Eater New York)
Nominees: Ryan Sutton (Eater New York); Mimi Sheraton (formerly of The New York Times, Time, Conde Nast Traveler, Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue); Steve Cuozzo (New York Post)

I ♥ Hospitality Award – Goes to a favorite restaurant in each borough as chosen by hospitality industry professionals.

I ♥ BrooklynWinner: Peter Luger
Nominees: Peter Luger; Roberta’s; al di la Trattoria

I ♥ BronxWinner: Mike’s Deli
Nominees: Mike’s Deli; Bronx Alehouse; Roberto’s; Pasquale’s Rigoletto

I ManhattanWinner: Gramercy Tavern
Nominees: Katz’s Delicatessen; Gramercy Tavern; Sylvia’s Restaurant, the Queen of Soul Food™; RedFarm

I QueensWinner: Taverna Kyclades
Nominees: Taverna Kyclades; Kabab Café; Phayul

I Staten Island Winner: Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret
Nominees: Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern; Lorenzo’s Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret; Ruddy and Dean Steakhouse

True Taste of NYC Award – Goes to an iconic dish served at an iconic NYC restaurant.
Winner: 2nd Ave Deli (Hot Pastrami Sandwich)
Nominees: 2nd Ave Deli (Hot Pastrami Sandwich); Totonno’s Pizzeria Napolitano (Thin-Crust Coal-Oven Pizza); J.G. Melon (Burger)

Group from Major Food Group, Bold Food and Noho Hospitality Group
Group from Major Food Group, Bold Food and Noho Hospitality Group

Nightowl Club Award presented by E.B. Cohen Insurance & Risk Management – Goes to the important and/or influential club and/or operator.
Winner: Marquee New York
Nominees: Marquee New York; Brooklyn Bowl; Output

Nightowl Bar Award presented by E.B. Cohen Insurance & Risk Management – Goes to the important and/or influential bar and/or owner.
Winner: Employees Only
Nominees: Employees Only; 67 Orange Street; Electric Room at Dream Downtown

#HospitalityGuruAward – Goes to the restaurant with the best food Social Media presence – makes you drool, laugh and captures your attention.
Winner: Milk Bar
Nominees: Joe & Misses Doe; Milk Bar/Christina Tosi; Black Tap Burgers

Terence Tubridy (In Good Hospitality Group) & Team
Terence Tubridy (In Good Hospitality Group) & Team

Hospitality Technology Award – Goes to a technology platform enhancing the way the hospitality industry operates (nominees are members of the Alliance)
Winner: Harri
Nominees: ADP; AYC Media; BentoBox; ChefMod; delivery.com; Dine Market; Harri; NCR Aloha; Paycom; Tripleseat; Valiant; Vitabyte POS; Wisely


The New York City Hospitality Alliance is a non-profit-trade association representing restaurants and nightlife establishments throughout the five boroughs. Formed in September 2012 by a group of well-noted hospitality operators, The Alliance provides a unified voice for the industry in the halls of government, in the media, and is a one-stop resource for industry-specific advice, education, events and cost-saving services. Through the support and involvement of its members, The Alliance is committed to advancing – with a clear and unified voice – an agenda focused on opportunity, economic investment and job
creation.

  • Atosa USA
  • Inline Plastics Safe-T-Chef
  • Texas Pete
  • BelGioioso Burrata
  • AyrKing Mixstir
  • Imperial Dade
  • T&S Brass Eversteel Pre-Rinse Units
  • Day & Nite
  • RATIONAL USA
  • RAK Porcelain
  • McKee Foodservice
  • DAVO Sales Tax
  • Simplot Frozen Avocado
  • Red Gold Sacramento