New York City Hospitality Alliance Awards 2016: Winner Announcement

Last night, 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.”

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 yesterday 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)
• 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
• 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)
• 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 ❤ Brooklyn – Winner: Peter Luger
      • Nominees: Peter Luger; Roberta’s; al di la Trattoria
    • I ❤ Bronx – Winner: Mike’s Deli
      • Nominees: Mike’s Deli; Bronx Alehouse; Roberto’s; Pasquale’s Rigoletto
    • I ❤ Manhattan – Winner: Gramercy Tavern
      • Nominees: Katz’s Delicatessen; Gramercy Tavern; Sylvia’s Restaurant, the Queen of Soul Food™; RedFarm
    • I ❤ Queens – Winner: 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)
  • 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
  • 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

For more information about the New York City Hospitality Alliance, please visit: www.thenycalliance.org.