Nominations are now closed and judging is underway! The top three nominees from each category will be notified and invited to the 2019 the Hospitality Stars of the Industry Celebration on September 15, 2019, in Orlando, Florida. Winners will be announced live at the event. Download awards descriptions HERE. Questions? Contact Maggie Dilger at mdilger@frla.org.
Award Category Descriptions
Chef of the Year Award
This category honors an executive or sous chef who has provided leadership, creativity, and culinary excellence to their restaurant. Nominees should display exceptional skills inside and outside the kitchen. Nominees will be judged on community service, leadership, and mentorship within the restaurant, and fantastic guest service.
Who can submit: Anyone
Eligibility requirements: Current executive or sous chef of FRLA member in good standing
Lodging Employee of the Year Award
This award recognizes exemplary professionalism and service by a lodging employee. The nominees are judged on outstanding performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including providing excellent service to the property, guests, and community.
Who can submit: Anyone
Eligibility requirements: Current lodging employee of FRLA member in good standing
Lodging General Manager of the Year Award
This category honors a hotel general manager who has shown excellence in leadership, service, and community and/or civic affairs. The nominees are judged on outstanding performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including providing excellent service to the property, guests, and community, as well as building strong teams and encouraging excellence at their property.
Who can submit: Anyone
Eligibility requirements: Current hotel general manager of FRLA member in good standing
Restaurant Employee of the Year Award
This award recognizes exemplary professionalism and service by a restaurant employee. The nominees are judged on outstanding performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including providing excellent service to the establishment, guests, and community.
Who can submit: Anyone
Eligibility requirements: Current restaurant employee of FRLA member in good standing
Restaurant General Manager of the Year
This category honors a restaurant general manager who has shown excellence in leadership, service, and community and/or civic affairs. The nominees are judged on performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including providing extraordinary service to the property, guests, and community, as well as building strong teams and encouraging excellence at their property.
Who can submit: Anyone
Eligibility requirements: Current restaurant general manager of FRLA member in good standing
Spirit of Hospitality Award
This award recognizes a member who exudes the spirit of hospitality. Created to acknowledge a member who has shown extreme generosity, kindness, and dedication to making the hospitality industry, our state, and our community better, the recipient of the Spirit of Hospitality Award should be an exemplar of all our industry stands for. Areas of contribution may include disaster response, political involvement, community service, or innovative business concepts.
Who can submit: Anyone
Eligibility requirements: Must be an FRLA member in good standing