ARHANOW
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ALABAMA RESTAURANT & HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION
VOLUME 7 ISSUE #4
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INSIDE. BE A SPONSOR OF THE 2019 PROSTART STUDENT INVITATIONAL SEE PAGE 24
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THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ALABAMA RESTAURANT & HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION
phone: 334.244.1320 fax: 334.244.9800 3 S. Jackson Street Montgomery, AL 36104 ARHAONLINE.COM
FROM THE PRESIDENT
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HOSPITALITY WORKFORCE SUMMIT
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ARHA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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2018 STARS OF THE INDUSTRY
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2018 GRAND PINEAPPLE GOLF CHALLENGE
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2018 BARTENDER OF THE YEAR
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2019 PROSTART SPONSORSHIP INFO
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WEST ALABAMA WORLD OF WORKS
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MINDY HANAN President & CEO
ASHLEY DIXON Director of Administration & Special Events
ALISON INGLE Director of Communications
SHEA PERKINS Senior Director of Membership
FOR ADVERTISING RATES:
Call 334.244.1320 or visit ARHAonline.com.
KIRK KIRKLAND MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP Deadline: March 15, 2019 Apply at ARHAONLINE.COM
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from the
PRESIDENT
T MINDY HANAN President & CEO, ARHA
his issue of ARHANow celebrates the 2018 Stars of the Industry. Our annual awards dinner was held on Oct. 30 at the gorgeous Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook. Thomas Hoffmann and his staff put together a fabulous event for the industry that was second to none. Congratulations to all the nominees, finalists, and winners!!! Thank you to all of our sponsors for making this event possible. I would like to extend a special thanks to our Platinum Sponsors United Johnson Brothers, Heartland Payment Systems, United Healthcare, Brown Forman and the Alabama Tourism Department.
As members of the hospitality industry we have so much of which to be proud. The hospitality industry opens the door to everyone. We provide the fundamental skills that help pave a positive path for career and life: attention to detail, customer service and team work. We instill the values that make our country great: a strong work ethic, personal responsibility, confidence and self-esteem. We recruit and train people who care about serving others, we recognize and reward success, and we always remember that our people – not products are our greatest asset. For some, we serve as an entry point into the job market, for others, a career with upward mobility. No matter who you are or where you come from, there’s something in the hospitality industry for everyone. From coast to coast, big cities to small communities; whether walking through our doors for a first date, first job, or family vacation – our industry is part of the fabric of America. We not only embrace the American Dream – we embody it. Please help us as we work to develop the next generation of hospitality leaders. The Annual ProStart Invitational will be held in Huntsville Monday, March 4. Andrew Dorough and The Westin in Huntsville have graciously offered to host the 2019 event. Please see the information about how to become a sponsor, judge or volunteer. You will be very impressed with these young people – we have ProStart alumni currently working at Highlands Bar & Grill, Oceans and Perdido Beach Resort just to name a few. Please contact Jessica Henry, our ProStart Director to find out how you can get involved. As the year comes to an end, we would like to thank you for your participation in ARHA and we wish you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!
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More than 100 attend the 2018
HOSPITALITY WORKFORCE SUMMIT
H
ospitality is at the center of communities across Alabama. On October 3, key players came together in Gulf Shores to discuss barriers and opportunities facing the industry and collaborate on workforce development solutions. The summit had more than 100 attendees and an incredible lineup of speakers included: American Hotel & Lodging Association, National Restaurant Association, American Culinary Foundation, educational leaders, Southwest Alabama Workforce Development, and Dothan CVB. In addition, TransfVR, Inc. provided a hands-on demonstration on how the hospitality industry can utilize virtual reality training.
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Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Chairman
Hans van der Reijden The Hotel at Auburn University, Auburn
Chairman-Elect
Eric Duggan Eastside Grille, Montgomery
Treasurer
Toby Wilson Wilson Hospitality Management Company, Tuscaloosa
Secretary
Bob Omainsky Fried Stewed & Nude, Mobile
Immediate Past Chairman Tony Smith LongHorn Steakhouse, Birmingham President/CEO
Mindy Hanan ARHA, Montgomery
BOARD MEMBERS RESTAURANTS
Steve Below - Below the Radar Brewhouse Jamie Black - Black Family Restaurants/McDonald’s Brandon Cain - Roots & Revelry David Conklin - Firehouse Subs Kim DiGilarmo - Carrabba’s Italian Grill Brian Harsany - Cosmo’s Restaurant & Bar Cynthia Shea Hart - Cyn Shea’s/Serving Hope, Inc. Stacie Knight - Cooper Restaurants Inc. Will Meacham - Midtown Pizza Kitchen Van Sykes - Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q
HOTELS
Kent Blackinton - Renaissance Riverview Plaza Larry Bowser - Shoals Marriott Sharon Delmar - Poarch Band of Creek Indians Andrew Dorough - Westin Huntsville Thomas Hoffmann - The Grand Bohemian Penny Groux - Perdido Beach Resort Craig Hillyard - Renaissance Montgomery Nanda Patel - Holiday Inn Gadsden Todd Scholl - The Hotel at Auburn University Rick Smith - Renaissance Ross Bridge Matt Sterley - Hyatt Regency Bham/Wynfrey Hotel Chris Townsley - Birmingham Marriott
TOURISM
David Clark - Visit Mobile Sara Hamlin - Birmingham CVB Jamie Koshofer - Huntsville/Madison County CVB Tami Reist - AL Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Cristina Almanza - Buffalo Rock Bob Baumhower - Aloha Hospitality Mike Bertani - S&D Coffee Jeremy Bilotto - US Foods Bryan Caldwell - Heartland Bob Crawford - United-Johnson Brothers Patti Culp - Alabama Travel Council Nick Hartmann - Alabama Power Company Matt Hood - Hotel Capstone Paul Hufstedler - US Foods Paul Humphryes - Billy’s Bar & Grill Elizabeth Kanter - Carr Allison Nick Kopp - Auto-Chlor System Amber Lamote - Sculpture Hospitality/Bevinco George Lane - Wood Fruitticher Bill Lloyd - 301 Bistro, Bar & Beer Garden Nick Maroules - Royal Cup Inc. Joseph Mitchell - Jefferson State Community College Alvin Niuh - University of Alabama Alan Patel - Comfort Inn Homewood Mike Powell - Chester’s Fried Chicken Wayne Reaves - Manna Enterprises James Robinson - Spire Energy Robert Smith - Alabama Power Company Gil Stiff - TSC Associates Clayton Taylor - Alabama Insurance Exchange Brandt Tucker - Proud Willie’s Wings & Stuff
ALABAMA RESTAURANT & HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION
A L A B A M A R E S TA U R A N T & H O S P I TA L I T Y A S S O C I AT I O N
STARS OF THE INDUSTRY
AWARDS
Stars of the Industry Awards OCTOBER 29, 2018 GRAND BOHEMIAN HOTEL MOUNTAIN BROOK
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The winners of the 2018 Stars of the Industry awards were announced on Monday, October 29 at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook. The Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association (ARHA) hosts the awards ceremony each year honoring the restaurant, lodging, and tourism industry. There were over 75 nominations submitted statewide and the finalists in each of the twenty-one categories were honored at the awards dinner. The 2018 winners were presented with trophies by ARHA Board Chairman Hans Van Der Reijden. The event began with an elegant reception while the regional bartender finalists competed in the state Bartender of the Year competition sponsored by Old Forester, United-Johnson Brothers, and Sculpture Hospitality/Bevinco. Guests enjoyed a fabulous dinner prepared by Chef Kirk Gilbert. Mr. John Lee Sanders provided live musical entertainment and Eunice Elliot, news reporter for NBC 13 Birmingham and stand-up comedian, served as the emcee for the evening. Thank you to the Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook for hosting the event. The food, the property, and the service were world-class! A special thank you to our sponsors for your generous support!
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Gold Partners: Alabama Gulf Seafood BMI BRESCO ​PSAV Sculpture Hospitality/Bevinco The Westin Huntsville Silver Partners: AlaCOMP Business Insurance Group Auto-Chlor Services LLC
Bronze Partners: Earthborn Pottery Millie Ray & Sons Table Sponsors: Alabama Power Aloha Hospitality Greater Birmingham CVB Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook Brown-Forman/Old Forester Petra RMS Sheraton Birmingham Hotel Wood Fruitticher
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Lifetime Achievement Award CHEF PETER D'ANDREA
WINDCREEK HOSPITALITY
It is great sadness that we share with you the untimely passing of Chef Peter D’Andrea this past May. Peter was the Corporate Executive Chef at Wind Creek Hospitality and served on the board of directors for the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association. He was an award-winning, highly respected culinarian of 45 years and worked in New York City, San Francisco, and Nashville, serving as the corporate chef for Marriott International. Among his accomplishments, he was invited to cook as a guest chef three times at the James Beard Foundation’s Town House in New York City in the Best Hotel Chef category, in addition to being invited to cook for Julia Child’s 80th birthday celebration. Chef D’Andrea was passionate about culinary education and was involved in several organizations including ARHA’s ProStart Program. He dedicated his time and expertise to help to develop the future of the restaurant industry by serving as a competition judge and working closely with high school students as a mentor. Peter’s leadership centered around service to others, and he made significant contributions to our industry by inspiring others interested in a culinary career. Peter had a contagious smile that will be greatly missed by all that knew him. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Jo Ann D’Andrea, and daughters Mariel (Brandon) Zelhart and Grace D’Andrea. Peter’s wife Jo Ann D’Andrea was presented the award in memory of Chef Peter to honor his commitment and service to the industry.
Legislator of the Year Award REPRESENTATIVE WILL AINSWORTH
HOUSE DISTRICT 27
Will Ainsworth is the current representative of the 27th district of the Alabama House of Representatives and was recently elected Lieutenant Governor. He was born in Birmingham, grew up in Boaz, and is a graduate of Auburn University. Will’s first job out of college, he served as a youth pastor in Marshall County. Seeking a way to turn his passion for hunting and fishing into a business, he and his brother, Austin, later opened Dream Ranch, which is now one of the most recognized sportsmen’s lodges in the United States. Will also founded the Tennessee Valley Hunting and Fishing Expo, one of the largest trade shows of its kind in the Southeast. Elected to the Alabama House in 2014, Will championed a push for ethics reform. Will and his wife Kendall have three children and are members of Grace Fellowship Church in Albertville.
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Spirit Award KENNETH PALMER
THE BATTLE HOUSE RENAISSANCE MOBILE HOTEL & SPA Kenneth Palmer is an employee at The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel and Spa. Having served in the Navy and as a police officer, he relocated to Mobile after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In May of this year, the hotel offered CPR Training to any team member interested. Kenneth signed up for the class, not knowing what the future held. Walking down a guest corridor roughly a week later, he heard an unusual noise coming from a room attendant, Jazmine, standing in the hallway. Kenneth quickly determined she was choking and not able to breathe. Without any hesitation, his recent training kicked in, and he performed the Heimlich maneuver. Within a matter of seconds, the cough drop popped out, and Jazmine was able to catch her breath. Kenneth’s quick reflexes and calm demeanor saved his co-workers life. While his tenure of nine months is short in numbers, his actions have spoken volumes. Beyond his “Super Hero” qualities, Kenneth is an enthusiastic, dedicated hospitality ambassador and his performance has always displayed levels of professionalism and thoroughness, as evidenced by comment cards and guest service comments.
Restaurateur of the Year Award BRIAN & JODI HARSANY
COSMO’S, ORANGE BEACH
Brian and Jodi Harsany moved to the Alabama Gulf Coast in 1994. Brian managed Bayside Grill at Sportsman Marina for more than ten years, and in 1996, he and his wife Jodi opened Cosmo’s in Orange Beach. Since then, the couple has opened four additional restaurants including Cobalt, Luna’s Eat & Drink, BuzzCatz Coffee & Sweets, GT’s on the Bay and Alabama Coastal Catering. Each property offers delicious, creative cuisine and their attention to detail and love of dining helps create an unforgettable dining experience. The Year of Alabama Food named Cosmo’s Banana Leaf Wrapped Fish as one of “the top 100 dishes to eat before you die.” Serving the community is heart of their business philosophy. Harsany’s restaurants donate over $100,000 each year to local non-profits supporting their beliefs in people, animals, and the environment. A strong proponent of protecting the environment, their businesses use eco-friendly to-go boxes, utensils, and cups. They recently implemented a no straw initiative called Paws for Recycling. When possible, they have switched to recyclable cans, and the proceeds from recycling go to help local animal organizations. The couple won the “Sand in My Shoes” award from the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber for their strong conservation efforts and was also recognized by the City of Orange Beach for their endless support. Over the past 20 years, the Harsany’s have won numerous local and regional awards that recognize not only their philanthropic efforts but also the fabulous food at all of their locations.
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Hotelier of the Year PERDIDO BEACH RESORT
ORANGE BEACH
Perdido Beach Resort is the largest privately owned and operated hotel in Alabama. Situated along sandy white shores and turquoise waters, the property offers an excellent location for beach vacations and group events. The hotel is a full-service beach resort - from recreation to dining, relaxing to celebrating. Perdido Beach Resort is home to the renowned Voyager’s restaurant and several other casual offerings. The property is known for outstanding service, having won many awards through the years including several Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence awards, was listed as one of the top resorts in Alabama by the Birmingham Business Journal, and has been named “Best in the South” by Meetings Focus South Magazine numerous times. The resort is a long-time supporter of ARHA. Several of their staff members volunteer each year to be judges for the ProStart competition. Penny Groux serves on the ARHA Board of Directors and accompanied the ARHA team to Washington DC this year to lobby on behalf of the industry. Perdido Beach Resort prides itself on employee satisfaction. In an industry with high turnover, the hotel boasts an impressive average length of employment for over 150 employees with more than ten years of service. The resort offers a summer intern program that enables young, talented hospitality employees to gain experience from leading professionals in the industry and spend a summer at the beach with housing and meals provided. Through this program, many of ARHA’s ProStart students have spent the summer learning the business at the resort. Perdido Beach Resort’s support of the local community is endless. Most recently they organized and hosted the “Paw Ball” with other local businesses which enabled the Orange Beach Police Department to purchase additional dogs for their K-9 program.
Chef of the Year BILL BRIAND
FISHER’S AT ORANGE BEACH MARINA Chef Bill Briand is executive chef of the fine dining Fisher’s Upstairs restaurant. He went from helping out his mom in the kitchen as a kid to working as a food runner in his teens and is now a culinary superstar of the South. After training nearly two decades in New Orleans under celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse and noted restaurateur Donald Link, he moved to Orange Beach five years ago to open Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina with restaurateur Johnny Fisher. Southern Living recognized Fisher’s in 2014, 2015, and 2016 as one of the best restaurants in the South. In April of 2015, Fisher’s hosted a sold-out dinner at the prestigious James Beard House in New York. Chef Briand was named a James Beard Best Chef – South semifinalist in 2016 and 2017. Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina has quickly become one of the most beautiful and critically acclaimed restaurants on the Gulf Coast.
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Tourism Promoter of the Year ROBERT HILLMAN
VISIT DOTHAN (DOTHAN CVB)
Robert Hillman and the Visit Dothan team recently created and launched the Hospitality 101 program. Hospitality 101 seeks to support Dothan’s tourism, workforce, and business needs by creating stronger “Hospitality Heroes.” Designed to provide professional development training for front-line hotel employees, hotel professionals will gain experience through hands-on customer service exercises during the one-day training and guided city bus tour. Each guided stop of the city’s businesses and attractions educates hotel employees on how to better promote what the City of Dothan has to offer for visitors to shop, dine, and play during their stay. In June, two classes were held and the Hospitality 101 program certified over 45 hospitality employees. The hotels are in full support of Visit Dothan for their efforts in growing the city’s hospitality workforce.
Tourism Economic Development Award NICK SELLERS
ALABAMA POWER
Nick Sellers is the vice president of Alabama Power’s Mobile division. he served for many years as a member of the BJCC Board of Directors. He was chairman of the facilities committee which raised the $300 million in funding necessary to build a brand new sports stadium in downtown Birmingham, including a complete renovation of the BJCC arena. This project will positively impact the city’s hospitality industry for decades to come by bringing a wide variety of sports and entertainment events to Alabama. Nick served for many years as a member of the Board of Directors for the Alabama Sports Foundation (ASF), working on events such as the Magic City Classic and the SEC Baseball Tournament, which were previously managed by ASF. When the ASF decided to focus on youth sports, he took the initiative to form a replacement organization called the Alabama Sports Council (ASC). This 501c3 actively recruits and manages a wide variety of amateur sports events to be hosted here in Alabama. The ASC now hosts the Magic City Classic, SEC Baseball Tournament, Davis Cup and many other great amateur sporting events.
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Small Hotelier of the Year Award NANDA PATEL
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES, GADSDEN Nanda Patel is one of the owners of the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Gadsden. The hotel that she runs with approximately 24 staff members and 70 rooms has always been an integral part of the service, growth, and philanthropy of Etowah County. Earlier this year when the hotel was replacing pillows and other items, the hotel collected and sent an 18-wheeler full of pillows and supplies to Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas. In April 2018, a tornado hit Jacksonville State University. The hotel again sent furniture and other items to help the impacted students. Nanda also created a scholarship for students at Gadsden State Community College and the hotel invested in an airport shuttle to help facilitate growth in the auto parts industry in Etowah County. The hotel supports the community’s arts programs, education, industrial development, tourism, Chamber, legislative action forums, workforce development, education, and hospitality. Also, she also partners with a church to create a linen program that helps recently released prisoners, donates towels to the humane society, and donates furniture and linens to the Love Center. Sharing, giving, and helping are the keys to sustainability for Nanda Patel’s hotels.
Supplier of the Year JAMES ROBINSON
SPIRE ENERGY, BIRMINGHAM
James Robinson is the Manager of National Accounts and Commercial Foodservice Marketing for Spire Energy in Birmingham. He is a graduate of Tuskegee University and has been with Spire Energy (formerly Alagasco) since 2005. James is a long-time board member of the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association (ARHA). For the past five years, he has volunteered as a judge at the ProStart Student Invitational and is a familiar face at many ARHA-sponsored events. Active in various industry related and community organizations, Robinson is past Chairman of the Southern Gas Association’s (SGA) Commercial Marketing Committee and a founding member of the Gas Foodservice Equipment Network (GFEN). Robinson is also an active member of the Jefferson State Community College Culinary and Hospitality Institute Advisory Board. Also, he serves on the Education Committee of the American Association of Blacks in Energy, the Board of Project Corporate Leadership, and the Advisory Committee of Youth Leadership Forum. Robinson is a member of the 2005-2006 class of Leadership Vestavia Hills and has served as Board Chair of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce and was presented the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce Board Member of the Year award in 2013. Spire Energy is a gas company serving 1.7 million customers in Missouri, Alabama, and Mississippi, providing natural gas to power their homes and businesses.
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Restaurant Manager of the Year KASHA WALTERS
THE HOUND, AUBURN
Over the last three years, Kasha Walters has managed The Hound, one of the busiest restaurants in Auburn. She has done so with limited oversight and incredible initiative. Kasha oversees a management staff of 8, with approximately 90 additional employees. She has no qualms about getting her hands dirty to keep the restaurant running smoothly. Kasha does whatever it takes to ensure an excellent customer experience, frequently running food, greeting and seating guests, and bussing tables. She cares about running the business as if she were its owner and that is why the restaurant is one of the highest rated establishments in the city.
Hospitality Manager of the Year BROOK LADNER
THE HOTEL AT AUBURN UNIVERSITY & DIXON CONFERENCE CENTER Brook Ladner has been the Banquet Manager since August 2012. She has spent time in banquet operations as a Banquet Server, Banquet Captain, and Assistant Banquet Manager. During this time, she has also completed her Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management and most recently received her Master of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality Management from Auburn University. In 2017, Brook oversaw the banquet department while the conference center underwent a five million dollar renovation and events were held in a temporary tented venue without the regular banquet setup. In March 2018, the hotel was selected to host the “Life of the Party” movie premiere for 1,500 guests with just two weeks notice. She orchestrated this event and the hotel staff with poise and confidence. Whether it’s a large event like the movie premiere, outside catering for 1,000 guests at Auburn Arena for some of Auburn University’s highest donors, a football Saturday morning from tailgates on campus, events taking place at multiple offsite venues, teaching AU hospitality students, or running a full banquet operation…Brook serves at the highest level.
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Best New Culinarian of the Year TIMOTHY FREEMAN
GRILLE 29, BIRMINGHAM
Timothy Freeman saw an opportunity where he could grow in his career and jumped at the chance. Timothy was just a line cook at that time but knew he had the potential to improve and became the executive chef with the right training and determination. Timothy not only stepped up, he elevated the rest of the team with him. There were a few team member departures with the change of chefs, as is often the case when leadership leaves and Timothy gathered the remaining team members and cross-trained them in various positions to help the restaurant run smoothly. Through determination and a strong work ethic, Timothy has led by example and become the role model that the team so direly needed. By creating a culture of learning and empowerment, he has demonstrated leadership and allowed other staff to grow and excel where they stagnated and were complacent. Tim has helped to establish a new culture.
Best New Culinarian of the Year DOMINIQUE JAMES
MARRIOTT SHOALS HOTEL & SPA
Dominique James has worked at Marriott Shoals for the past three years, steadily climbing the ladder. She was named Chef de Cuisine of the 360 Grille restaurant in April 2018. Being the chef of this restaurant poses many challenges with limited cooking and storage space. However, Dominique has met the challenges admirably and has worked to improve the speed and quality of the food for the restaurant. She is a tireless worker, often coming in early to be sure her staff is prepared and has everything that they need for the night ahead. Dominique ensures that every guest is treated like a VIP by going into the restaurant and personally checking on guests to make sure they are enjoying themselves.
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Front of House Restaurant Employee STEPHEN PRYOR
DAUPHIN’S RESTAURANT, MOBILE Stephen Pryor, better known as Stevie, is a server at Aloha Hospitality’s Dauphin’s Restaurant in Mobile. He has been in the hospitality industry for 31 years. After joining the Navy following high school, Stevie took a job as a dishwasher to make some extra money, working his way up to a server. He has been at Dauphin’s since it opened and enjoys its family atmosphere, which he attributes to Aloha Hospitality President Bob Baumhower for his genuine concern for his employees. Stevie was a finalist for “Best Server in Mobile” for the 2018 Nappie Awards by Lagniappe Magazine and has also been named MVP at Dauphin’s twice in his tenure. Stevie’s one goal as a server is to treat each guest as a VIP and guests regularly request him because of the level of excellence he provides in his role.
Back of House Restaurant Employee CAMILLE BAKER
PERDIDO BEACH RESORT, ORANGE BEACH Camille Baker is garde manager preparing food for all resort outlets and banquets. A native of Jamaica, she became interested in home economics and began entering cooking competitions where she often won top honors. Camille took post-secondary coursework in food preparation and graduated in the top five of her class. She has worked at two locations of the Sandals Hotel and SuperClubs Resort in Jamaica. Camille’s first job in the U.S. was with the Grand Hotel Marriott in Point Clear, AL until she was recruited back to Jamaica to work at the Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios. The Grand Hotel Marriott contacted her in 2006 to help them reopen after Hurricane Katrina, and she worked there until coming to Perdido Beach Resort in 2013. Camille has been selected as the Employee of the Month and is recognized as one of the leaders in the Kitchen. Her direct manager, Executive Chef Brody Olive, says, “Camille exemplifies all of the qualities of a true kitchen professional every day; not only her dedication to her job but her high standards in everything that she does.” Besides working multiple jobs at times to provide for her family, Camille is also a devoted mother to two children and is very involved in their educational and extracurricular activities.
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Front of House Hospitality Employee ANTHONY WINSTON
HAMPTON INN UNIVERSITY, TUSCALOOSA Anthony Winston is the Night Auditor at the Hampton Inn University in Tuscaloosa. Over the past decade, he has continued to go above and beyond for all guests that he encounters and is willing to lend a helping hand to his coworkers. Anthony provides exceptional service and his kindness, enthusiasm, and dedication are all the qualities that embody Hampton Inn. Anthony truly loves his job, and his genuine passion for the hospitality industry shines through every
Back of House Hospitality Employee BEATRICE MERRIDA
RENAISSANCE MOBILE RIVERVIEW PLAZA HOTEL
Beatrice Merrida has been a Room Attendant at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel since July 1993. Her consistent performance, tenure, and positive attitude make her the hotel’s unofficial leader in the Heart of the House. Bea helps train new associates with her extensive knowledge and experience. Room cleanliness scores rank in the top 10 in Renaissance Hotels, and Bea is an integral part of these results. For an employee that has minimal direct guest contact, she has received numerous comments from customers on her friendliness and helpfulness during their stay. Bea’s overall positivity is contagious, and she has been recognized by meeting planners as the Gold Key recipient, an award given by meeting planners to employees that go above and beyond during an event. Beatrice is a role model for her department, a beacon of positivity and a vital player in the success of the hotel.
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ProStart® Educator of Excellence LAUREN BOLDING
ALBERTVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
The 2018 National ProStart Educator of Excellence for Alabama is Lauren Bolding, the culinary instructor at Albertville High School. She has worked tirelessly for the past five years as an outstanding representative of the ProStart program, and under her direction, her teams have won first place in 2015, 2017 and 2018. Lauren’s dedication to her students and their education shines through her work with industry partners in the community as well as encouraging her students to reach the highest academic standards. While competition is certainly not the benchmark of success, her persistence to accompany her students through their preparation and participation at nationals last year while she was eight months pregnant displays a level of commitment and respect to the process that is rarely matched. Alabama’s ProStart Program benefits significantly because of Lauren’s influence and the standard she sets for her program.
Post-Secondary Educator of Excellence DR. MARTIN O’NEILL
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Martin O’Neill has served the Auburn University community since 2003. Having led the Hospitality Management program since 2006 and the Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Hospitality since 2009, Dr. O’Neill most recently was honored with the Horst Schulze Endowed Professor of Hospitality Management in 2016. He previously held the Bruno Endowed Professorship from 2009 to 2016. From 2013-2015 he has served at the highest level attainable by any member of the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education in the capacity of Vice President, President, and Immediate Past President. As a result of his vision and leadership, and through the partnership with lthaka Hospitality Partners and the strong support of the Auburn University Board of Trustees, the faculty anxiously await the next historic moment for the program with the opening of the state of the art Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center that will truly be a one-of-a-kind instructional facility thereby placing Alabama on the culinary map.
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Bartender 2 0 1 8
COMPETITION Don DeLong of Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s in Gulf Shores was named Alabama’s 2018 Bartender of the Year by the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association at the Stars of the Industry awards dinner held on Monday, October 29, 2018 at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook. Here is the rundown. It begins with regional competitions all over the state and concludes with the top finalists coming together to compete at the state level at the Stars of the Industry annual awards gala. Each contestant has six minutes to prepare two drinks ‑ a classic cocktail (Boulevardier, Manhattan, OldFashioned, or Whiskey Sour) with a unique “twist” and a specialty drink. The competitors are judged on taste, accuracy, showmanship, their crowd interaction, and speed at which they create these concoctions.
Pictured L to R - 1st Row: Randolph Dixon- The Haberdasher - Mobile; David Hudson, KRU on Mt Meigs - Montgomery (4th Place); and Alex Correa, The Marble Ring Birmingham (2nd Place). 2nd Row: Lane Smith, Roots & Revelry - Birmingham (3rd Place); Don DeLong, LuLu’s Gulf Shores (1st Place); James Joseph - Old Forester; and Reece Dodd- Old Town Stock House - Guntersville.
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Don DeLong of Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s in Gulf Shores was named Alabama’s 2019 Bartender of the Year.
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2018 Bartender of the Year State Competition
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Don DeLong - Lucy Buffet’s LuLu’s, Gulf Shores (1st Place)
Alex Correa - The Marble Ring, Birmingham (2nd Place)
Lane Smith - Roots & Revelry, Birmingham (3rd Place)
David Hudson - KRU on Mt. Meigs, Montgomery (4th Place)
Reece Dodd- Old Town Stock House, Guntersville
Randolph Dixon - The Haberdasher, Mobile
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2019 ARHA FOUNDATION
PROSTART® INVITATIONAL
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2019 • 8AM - 4 PM • THE WESTIN HUNTSVILLE
The ARHA Foundation is excited to announce our 2019 ProStart® Invitational. Students representing their high school’s ProStart® program will participate in culinary and management competitions. This one day event allows ProStart® students to showcase the skills that they have learned in the classroom. This event is made possible through the support of our industry. See how you can help below and remember that all sponsorship donations are tax-deductible.
HOW CAN YOU HELP: BE A JUDGE OR VOLUNTEER Over 50 people are needed to staff a ProStart competition! If you would like to volunteer on the day of the competition, we would love your help. We also need judges with backgrounds in culinary, restaurant management, and marketing.
WHAT IS THE PROSTART PROGRAM? ProStart® is a nationwide, two-year program for high school students that develops the best and brightest talent into tomorrow’s industry leaders. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart®’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-world educational opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime. By bringing the industry and the classroom together, ProStart® gives students a platform to discover new interests and talents and opens doors for fulfilling careers. The curriculum teaches all facets of the restaurant and foodservice industry, inspires students to succeed and sets a high standard of excellence for students and the industry. ProStart® is supported and operated by the ARHA Foundation in partnership with the NRA Educational Foundation. With 26 high schools currently participating, the ProStart® program is growing fast and is on its way to becoming a talent pipeline for careers in Alabama’s foodservice industry.
ARHANOW
Sponsorship Opportunities: PROSTART® PLATINUM: $5,000 • Featured recognition and presentation at awards presentation • Company logo will appear on: Website | Award | Magazine | Signage | Email Blasts | Agendas & Schedules • VIP Guest Judge Invitation: an exclusive invitation that enables your company to receive increased press by having a member of your staff serve as a judge for the culinary/management competitions • National Recognition: Logo embroidered on winning team’s uniforms for nationals • Company mentioned in any ARHA press releases regarding state and national competition • Company logo displayed on the ARHA website sponsor scrolling banner (on each page) for 6 months
PROSTART® GOLD: $2,000 • Awards presentation recognition and presentation • Company logo will appear on: Website | Award | Magazine | Signage | Email Blasts | Agendas & Schedules • VIP Guest Judge Invitation: an exclusive invitation that enables your company to receive increased press by having a member of your staff serve as a judge for the culinary/management competitions
PROSTART® SILVER: $1,500 • Company logo will appear on: Website | Award | Magazine | Signage | Email Blasts | Agendas & Schedules • VIP Guest Judge Invitation: an exclusive invitation that enables your company to receive increased press by having a member of your staff serve as a judge for the culinary/management competitions
PROSTART® BRONZE: $1,000 • Company logo will appear on: Magazine | Signage | Agendas & Schedules • VIP Guest Judge Invitation: an exclusive invitation that enables your company to receive increased press by having a member of your staff serve as a judge for the culinary/management competitions
2019 PROSTART® INVITATIONAL - HOW WILL YOU HELP? Please select the level of sponsorship:
How would you like to help? q BE A JUDGE
q DONATE BEVERAGES
q VOLUNTEER
q DONATE SNACKS
q MENTOR
q PLATINUM SPONSOR: $5,000 q GOLD SPONSOR: $2,000 q SILVER SPONSOR: $1,500 q BRONZE SPONSOR: $1,000 q SUPPORTING SPONSOR: $500 q TEAM SPONSOR: $100
q OTHER: (example: pens, notepads, logo items, kitchen items, gift certificates, etc.) Company Name: Name: Email: Address: City: State:
Zip:
Phone: Fax: SPONSORS ONLY:
Please charge my:
Card #:
Visa
Exp:
Complete form and send to: FAX: 334.244.9800
MC
AMEX
Signature:
| MAIL: 3 S. Jackson St., Montgomery, AL 36104
FOR MORE INFORMATION: PHONE: 334.244.1320 | EMAIL: alprostart@gmail.com
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ARHANOW
WEST ALABAMA WORKS!
Hosts World of Works for Record Crowd of 5,000 students
T
he fourth-annual Worlds of Work Career Expo took place at Shelton State Community College, exposing more than 5,000 students to high-paying, competitive jobs in West Alabama. Eighth graders in the nine-county region experienced WOW as a field trip, sparking their interest in various careers before their career preparation class in ninth grade. High school students were invited to return to WOW with their parent/guardian at WOW Varsity, an evening event that allowed students to engage with employers. “WOW shows our students the amazing futures they can have by exposing them to real careers in our area at a young age. It plants the seed for future success,” said Donny Jones, West Alabama Works’ executive director and chief operations officer. WOW is designed for eighth-graders because they take career preparation in ninth grade. High school students and their parents were invited to WOW Varsity, a free continuation of the expo as well. “This was more than just brochures. Students actually practiced electric wiring, delivering a baby or using construction equipment, all with industry professionals.These industry professionals want to make relationships with our students and parents to help build their future workforce,” said Donny Jones, executive director, West AlabamaWorks. Worlds included in WOW were agriculture, construction, education, energy and utilities, engineering and environment, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing/automotive/logistics, public safety and transportation. For more information, visit www.worldsofwork.com.
Proud of the company we keep We care about the kind of work we do and who we do it for by focusing on the customer’s present and future needs, cultivating quality relationships and providing the best payments, payroll, point-of-sale, customer engagement and lending products to businesses across the country.
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Š2018 Heartland Payment Systemsn, LLC
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CARLE PLACE, NY PERMIT NO 35
3 S. Jackson Street Montgomery, AL 36104
ARE YOUR MANAGERS FOOD SAFETY CERTIFIED? EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2020: All food service operations in Alabama will be required to have a certified food safety manager on duty at all times. ARHA members receive discounts on ServSafe classes and training materials for food, alcohol, and allergen safety. Visit ARHAonline.com or call 334.244.1320 to learn more.