On November 28, 2016, the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association (NJRHA) will honor the State’s best and brightest along with their friends, family, business associates and peers at the 2016 NJRHA Annual Awards Gala to be held at the Liberty House in Jersey City. This year’s recipients are:
Restaurateur of the Year
Tim McLoone — McLoone’s Restaurants
- CJ McLoone’s, Tinton Falls
- McLoone’s Asbury Grille, Asbury Park
- McLoone’s Bayonne Grille, Bayonne
- McLoone’s Boathouse, West Orange
- McLoone’s Clubhouse Pub, Hillsborough
- McLoone’s Pier House, Long Branch
- McLoone’s Pier House, National Harbor, MD
- McLoone’s Pier House, Hoboken
- McLoone’s Woodbridge Grill, Fords
- The Rum Runner, Sea Bright
- The Robinson’s Ale House, Red Bank
- Tim McLoone’s Supper Club, Asbury Park
“Tim is a former Harvard graduate and an excellent restaurateur who has worked hard to get where he is today. His passion for his business is only surpassed by his passion for philanthropy. Over the years the company’s annual Holiday Express program has donated millions of dollars worth of food, time and money to the less fortunate in their communities,” said Marilou Halvorsen, President of the NJRHA, “This award is a well-deserved honor that Tim definitely deserves,” she added.
Gold Plate Award
The Kunisch Family
- Allendale Bar & Grill
- Mahwah Bar & Grill
Paul Dillon, Associate Dean of
Business, Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management
- Hudson County Community College
The Kunisch family has been active in the restaurant business for over 80 years. The current, fourth-generation owners continue the tradition of hospitality and community support started by their great-grandmother in 1935. They are supportive of a number of local causes and continue to make a significant impact on Sacred Heart School in Jersey City. The inner-city school has been helping underprivileged children for over 100 years. In addition, the Kunisch family assists the Mahwah Marine Moms in sending care packages to our overseas troops, and the Rose Foundation of Haiti, whose primary mission is continuing support for victims of the 2010 earthquake.
Paul Dillon is the current Associate Dean of Business, Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management and is personally involved in educating our next generation of hospitality industry executives. Through his many efforts, he supports the New Jersey Restaurant Education Foundation with his endless time and talents. Prior to joining the world of education, Dillon’s esteemed career included working for major corporations such as Longchamps Inc., Host International, Orange Bowl Corporation, Restaurant Associates, and ISL International. As a former consulting chef for a myriad of national and international venues for public and corporate clients, his notable clients also included: the 1994 World Cup, the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France and several PGA and USGA golf tournaments.
The Annual Awards Gala, a black tie event created to honor the winners and celebrate the restaurant and hospitality industry, is traditionally held the Monday evening after Thanksgiving and hosts approximately 350 people.
For more information on the awards, recipients or how to sponsor or attend the Gala, please contact Karen Geisel at 609-599-3316 or kgeisel@njrha.org. To learn more about the NJRHA, visit their website.
