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2015 Award Winners

RI HOSPITALITY AWARD WINNERS

Chairman’s Award
Kristin and Matthew Gennuso, Chez Pascal

Hotelier of the Year
Eric Churchill, Providence Marriott Hotel

Vendor of the Year
Perkins & Gordon Foodservice Company

Volunteer of the Year
Melanie Rich, Perkins & Gordon Foodservice Company
John Coffin, Dunkin Donuts Center

Mary Brennan Tourism Award
Volvo Ocean Race Team – Sail Newport, Discover Newport, Newport Hospitality, Department of Environmental Management

Lifetime Achievement Award
Alan Costantino, Venda Ravioli
Roger Piyette, Kay's AVL

Woman of the Year
Amy Barclay, Simpleware Jamestown

Excellence in Sustainability Award
Hope & Main Kitchen Incubator		 President’s Award
Rachel Narducci, The Village Haven Restaurant

Restaurateur of the Year
Christopher Phillips, The Capital Grille

Vendor Representatives of the Year
Carmine DeLucia, Lynch’s Cleaning & Restoration

Chef of the Year
Carlos Dalmau, Fred & Steve’s Steakhouse

Hospitality Ambassador of the Year
Representative K Joseph Shekarchi, Chairman of the House Labor Committee
Andy Moffit, First Gentleman, State of Rhode Island

Media Partnership Award
RI Beverage Journal

Man of the Year
Craig Sculos, Twin River Casino

NRA Restaurant Neighbor Award
Gregg’s Restaurants & Pubs
Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant

EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR

Hotel
Maurice Charlton, Hampton Inn and Suites Warwick Airport
Margarita Sabasto, Hampton Inn and Suites Warwick Airport
Manuel Hernand, Hilton Garden Inn
Chris O’Shea, Hilton Providence
Barbara Martinez, Hilton Providence
Haneef Williams, Hilton Providence
Evan Cochran, Hotel Viking
Felecia Pina, Omni Providence Hotel
Milagros Paradis, Omni Providence Hotel
Fiona Bennett, Omni Providence Hotel
Maria Santos, Omni Providence Hotel
Edna Lopes, Omni Providence Hotel
Itmar Benitez, Providence Biltmore Hotel
Debbie Lopez, Providence Biltmore Hotel
Carlos Rivera, Providence Biltmore Hotel
Josh Rivera, Providence Biltmore Hotel
Brenddan Allen, Providence Marriott Hotel
Nicole Koziol, Providence Marriott Hotel
Jeff Shabs, Providence Marriott Hotel
Steven Simas, Renaissance Providence Hotel
Christopher Surley, Renaissance Providence Hotel
Jennifer Tavares, Renaissance Providence Hotel

Allied
Donald Gulbicki, ECOLAB
Luis Vasquez, ECOLAB
Peter Kennedy, LAZ/Ultimate Hospitality
Luis Sanchez, LAZ/Ultimate Hospitality
Michael Sanchez, LAZ/Ultimate Hospitality
Jaime VanVleck, Regency Plaza		 Restaurant
Ashley Swirles, Angelo’s Palace Pizza
Carina Mauricio, Angelo’s Palace Pizza
Peni Hemal, Fred and Steve’s Steakhouse
Michael Yanisih, Hilton Providence/Shulas 347
Dinesh Soni, Hilton Providence/Shulas 347
Alberto Soes, Twin River Casino
Keri Snyder, Twin River Casino (Pastry Chef Team)
Chris Freyre, Panera Bread
Chrissy Serpa, Panera Bread
Kerri Bonas, Panera Bread

Caterer
Antonio Debrito, Providence Biltmore		 Bartender of the Year
Amy McGovern DeSimone, 22 Bowen’s Wine Bar & Grill
Stacy Martella, Shulas 347 Grill
Stephanie McGinn, Shulas 347 Grill
Karen Silva, Angelo’s Palace Pizza
Pam Howard, Fred and Steve’s Steakhouse

Emerging Leaders Under 30
Emily Hudson, Avenue N American Kitchen
Chef Antonio Franco, Basta Italian Restaurant
Carly Riffel, Shulas 347 Grill
Emily Hoffer, Hilton Providence
Alicia Cook, Omni Providence Hotel
Jeremy Cross, Providence Biltmore Hotel
Megan Henn, Panera Bread
Monika Zulaga, RI Hospitality Association

Tourism
Brett DePaola, Preservation Society Newport
Kathleen Cesseri, Providence Warwick CVB
Brynn Abernathy, Twin River Casino
Tommy Cleckman, Twin River Casino

RI HOSPITALITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION AWARD WINNERS

Chairman's Award
Bahjat Shariff, Panera Bread, Howley Bread Group

Education Partnership of the Year
Connecting for Children & Families		 Teacher of the Year
Chef Jamie Finkelstein, Connecting with Children and Families

Education Ambassador of the Year
Karl Guggemos, Culinary Solutions International