~Area Restaurants and Hotels Award Local Employees for Service Excellence~
DESTIN, FL – The Northwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) partnered with Walton County Tourism and Destin Fort Walton Beach to recognize the men and women who have made a significant impact on the local hospitality industry. Nearly 200 people gathered at The Henderson Beach Resort to celebrate and recognize frontline hospitality employees. Over 40 individuals were nominated, and 10 individuals were selected for a Hospitality Hero Award. The winners each received an award and $500 in recognition of their outstanding service and commitment to providing exceptional experiences for guests.
“What an honor to recognize and celebrate the heart of our industry with the Hospitality Heroes Awards,” said Marissa Bonham, Northwest Florida Regional Director for FRLA and the event’s organizer. “This heartwarming event has left a lasting impression on not only the nominees and award winners, but everyone in attendance. Their contributions continue to set Florida apart as a leading destination for tourism and leisure travel.”
“Northwest Florida is known around the globe for its outstanding hospitality that keeps our visitors coming back year after year,” said Carol Dover, President & CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “Every single team member in our restaurants and hotels plays a vital role in delivering the exceptional service that drives our success. Congratulations to our nominees and winners! Our industry is second to none because of you, our hospitality heroes.”
The 2025 Hospitality Heroes are:
Best Restaurant FOH Employee – Grace Carver, The Bald & The Beard Restaurant Group Best Restaurant BOH Employee – Dwayne Barnett, Jim Shirley Enterprises
Best Restaurant Manager – Gemma Fought, Saltwater Restaurants
Best Culinary / Kitchen Manager – Michael Reinsmith, Henderson Beach Resort
Best Hotel / Resort FOH Employee – Deb Esling, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa Best Hotel / Resort BOH Employee – Lily Sultansihvili, Embassy Suites Miramar Beach
Best Hotel Resort Manager – Liz Larneard, Gibson Beach Rentals
Director of Sales / Marketing – Peggy Moravec, Embassy Suites Miramar Beach
Spirit of Hospitality – Shantelle Dedicke, Frances Roy Marketing Agency
True Hero-Veteran in Hospitality – John Butler, The Bald & The Beard Restaurant Group
About FRLA: The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association, FRLA merged with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate, and promote Florida’s nearly $112 billion hospitality industry which represents nearly two million employees. Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of the membership, FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. The association offers regulatory compliance and food safety training through Safe Staff® and FRLA’s subsidiary, RCS Training. The FRLA Educational Foundation provides industry-developed, career-building high school programs throughout the state.
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