SCRLA announces hospitality award winners, finalists

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The S.C. Restaurant and Lodging Association on Tuesday announced its statewide finalists for the 68^th annual S.C. Hospitality Industry Awards. Winners will be presented their awards on Feb. 1 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia.

The awards recognize “exceptional professionalism and outstanding service of top individuals in the hospitality industry,” according to a news release.

“Although these are difficult times, that makes it even more important to take advantage of opportunities to celebrate outstanding accomplishments,” John Durst, president and CEO of the association, said in the release. “That’s one reason why we are looking forward so very much to honoring the best of the best in the South Carolina’s tourism industry. Honoring exceptional work — which exemplifies the highest standards and best practices of the hospitality industry on a daily basis — will be a special, memorable occasion for our industry.”

Tickets for the awards gala will be $40 for association members and $55 for non-members.

Award winners include:

• Hospitality Educator of the Year: Robin DiPietro of the University of South Carolina
• Hospitality Supplier of the Year: David Evans of Asheville Hwy Rentals
• Outstanding Community Service Program: Palmetto Promotions
• Outstanding Community Service Leader (private sector): Matthew Shirah of Scofflaw Brewing Company
• Outstanding Community Leader (public sector): S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control

Finalists for the Our Stars of the Industry award include:

• Hotelier of the Year: Andrew Cajka of Spartanburg Marriott
• Lodging Manager of the Year: Ashley Johnson of Courtyard by Mariott Columbia and Tony Lee of Sheraton Myrtle Beach
• Lodging Front of House Employee of the Year: Darren Whitaker of Meeting Street Inn and Toby Wiggers of Graduate Columbia
• Lodging Heart of House Employee of the Year: Carole Roglin of Hilton Grand Vacations and Conrad Cooper of DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront
• Hotel Bartender of the Year: Dorothy Kohl of Westin Poinsett and Phil Sacco of Sheraton Myrtle Beach
• Hotel Chef of the Year: Connor Kaiser of DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront and Haydn Shaak of Hotel Domestique/Restaurant 17
• Restaurateur of the Year: Anthony DiBernado of Swig & Swine
• Restaurant Manager of the Year: Alberto Vargas of California Dreaming and Hanna Platt of Wild Dunes
• Restaurant Front of the House Employee of the Year: Acadia Kant of CityRange Steakhouse Grill and Dawn Hlavacek of Croissants Bistro
• Restaurant Heart of House Employee of the Year: Malcolm McMillan of Restaurant 17 and Sarah Pinkernell of Larkin’s Restaurants
• Restaurant Bartender of the Year: Kat Hunter of Bourbon Columbia and Michael Wade of Rick Erwin’s Clemson
• Restaurant Chef of the Year: Ben Sanders of RJ Rockers Brewing Company and Nico Romo of NICO Oysters & Seafood
• Outstanding Certified Sommelier: Joe Crossan of Table 301 and Sarah Tomlinson of NICO Oysters & Seafood.