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The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) recently announced the winners of the 2023 Texas Restaurant Awards.
The awards ceremony and following “party with a purpose” Lone Star Bash were held in Houston, and the evening featured bites from 26 Texas restaurants, a mixologist competition and a live performance by BMI recording artist Jack Ingram.
“We are humbled by the opportunity to recognize these individuals and companies who have gone above and beyond to support the hospitality industry in our great state. The Texas Restaurant Association congratulates all of the winners of this year’s Texas Restaurant Awards. Their hard work and dedication is truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing even more success from these honorees in the years to come.”
Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D., President & CEO of the TRA and TRF
The TRA is the nation’s largest restaurant association and represents the state’s $95 billion restaurant industry, which encompasses upwards of 55,000 locations and a workforce of over 1.4 million employees. For more than 30 years, the Texas Restaurant Awards are coveted by the state’s hospitality leaders.
INNOVATION IN EDUCATION AWARD
New for this year, the Innovation in Education Award serves to recognize individuals, groups or organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of culinary and hospitality education. The Award is a celebration of those who have dedicated themselves to improving the education experience for both students and teachers and demonstrated a willingness to push boundaries in order to support the preparation of our workforce.
Inaugural Awardee
McAllen ISD STRIDES Program
EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARD
The Excellence in Journalism Award recognizes work in media and journalism that goes above and beyond to promote the restaurant and foodservice industry as well as provide insight into how our industry functions and the issues facing operators. We proudly recognize the hard work and dedication of journalists and/or organizations who strive to inform and educate the public while upholding the highest journalistic standards.
Inaugural Awardee
Pat Sharpe, Executive Editor, Texas Monthly
RESTAURANT INDUSTRY CHAMPION AWARD
The TRA is introducing the Restaurant Industry Champion Award this year to celebrate policymakers, organizations and individuals who go above and beyond to protect and strengthen Texas’ restaurant industry. Recipients will be selected on the basis of their service and the exceptional impact they’ve had on the laws, regulations, and business environment that empower restaurants to serve their communities.
Inaugural Awardees
Rep. Dustin Burrows House of Representatives, District 83
Sen. Brandon Creighton State Senate, District 4
THE SKEETER MILLER EXCELLENCE IN ADVOCACY AWARD
The Skeeter Miller Excellence in Advocacy Award is being created in 2023 to celebrate a member who demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to our advocacy efforts on behalf of Texas’ entire foodservice industry. The annual award is named in honor of its inaugural recipient, Skeeter Miller of The County Line Restaurants. Skeeter exemplifies the qualities that make a trusted advocate and has spent countless hours speaking up for restaurants at the local, state, and federal levels. The TRA is proud to celebrate restaurant leaders who follow Skeeter’s example by investing their time and treasure to advocate on behalf of the industry they love.
Inaugural Awardee
Don “Skeeter” Miller County Line BBQ
RISING STAR AWARD
This award recognizes the hard work that goes into opening a restaurant. This person or concept is an up-and-comer with ambitious goals and the grit to achieve them.
Chapter Nominee Restaurant/Organization City/Town
Panhandle Rory Schepisi The Drunken Oyster & Savor Amarillo
DEEP IN THE HEART AWARD
Texas is massive and filled with amazing talent. This award is designed to highlight those successful and creative restaurant owners and chefs with concepts not located in one of the big four metro areas (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, or Austin).
Chapter Nominee Restaurant/Organization City/Town
Amarillo Bobby and Danny Lee The Big Texan Steak Ranch Amarillo
COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD
The TRA’s Community Impact Award, introduced in 2022, is awarded to a nominee who is an active member of the TRA that has a demonstrated legacy of uniting and empowering their community. Community may be defined in many different ways to reflect the tremendous diversity within our industry, including race, religion, gender, sexuality, veteran, culture, and more.
Chapter Nominee Restaurant/Organization City/Town
Greater Houston Chris Shepherd Southern Smoke Foundation Houston
OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Every year, restaurateurs around the state are honored for their work in their communities, leadership success, and entrepreneurial spirit. The finalists for this award come from the pool of winners of the Outstanding Restaurateur Awards, chosen by the individual 23 chapters that comprise the TRA.
Chapter Nominee Restaurant/Organization City/Town
San Antonio Blanca Aldaco Aldaco’s Mexican Cuisine San Antonio
HALL OF HONOR
A long-standing Texas Restaurant Association tradition, outstanding individuals are inducted to the Hall of Honor each year to recognize their significant contribution to the Texas restaurant industry and to the association. This honor is the highest that the Association can bestow. To qualify, nominees must have a minimum of 15 years of TRA membership and exemplify superior business ethics.
Chapter Inductee Restaurant
San Antonio Capwell ‘Cappy’ Lawton Cappy’s Restaurant
Permian Basin Jerry Morales Mulberry Cafe
CHEF TIM KELLY AWARD FOR EDUCATOR EXCELLENCE
Texas ProStart instructors who demonstrate leadership and excellence in culinary education are eligible to contend for the annual Educator Excellence Award. Teachers must be advocates of the Texas ProStart program and dedicated to helping students achieve success. This is awarded to educators who have made significant contributions in the classroom and beyond.
Chapter Nominee Restaurant/Organization City/Town
Greater Dallas Cheryll Harris Emmett J. Conrad High School Dallas
THE CARMELO MAURO SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY AWARD
The Carmelo Mauro Award is an annual recognition, given by the Texas Restaurant Foundation (TRF), for outstanding achievement by an individual philanthropist or company who has demonstrated the highest ethical standards, commitment, dedication, and talent toward the future of the restaurant and food service industry.
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