by Robin Garr » Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:13 pm
Tony, thanks for posting! I've edited your headline slightly to draw more attention to it. Here's a more detailed wrapup that I put together this morning for Food & Dining, where it will appear in the News & Notes column of the edition coming out next week. In addition to JD, lots of other familiar local food-industry names won recognition from their peers:
Restaurant group honors Napa River's Rothberg, others
J.D. Rothberg, an owner of Louisville's Napa River Grill and Wild Eggs, was honored as Restaurateur of the Year at the Kentucky Restaurant Association's Restaurateurs' Gala, a celebration of industry professionals, in January.
"It's really nice to be recognized by your peers," Rothberg said after the award. "As we all know, there's all kinds of awards, but to be recognized by the people who know what you do and who understand the trials and tribulations that go along with it just makes it more exciting to get.
"It's not just a single award," he added. "It takes a team to be successful, and there's nobody more important to me than my team and my managers."
Finalists for the Restaurateur of the Year Award were Bruce Drake and Brian Mccarthy of Lexington's Bluegrass Hospitality Group; Rod Rupp at Ferd Grisanti's, Mike Wong at Oriental Wok, and Andrew Masterson of Masterson's and Captain's Quarters, all in Louisville; and Butch Wainscott at Greyhound Tavern in Fort Mitchell.
Mark Tandy, KRA's director of programs and events, listed the other state-wide award winners:
2007 Restaurant Neighbor Award: Steve O's Italian Kitchen, Buckner; Applesauce & Co., Crestview Hills, and Vincenzo's, Louisville.
Culinary Student of the Year: Alexis Bradford, Bowling Green Technical College.
Chapter Members of the Year: Mary Richie, Jefferson Club, Louisville.
Manager of the Year: Mary Ellen White, Kingfish Restaurants, Louisville.
Supplier Of The Year: Michelle Bollman, Republic Distributing Co.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Bruce Cotton, Retired Past President, KRA.
