FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2011

Restaurant Industry Leaders Honored at 2011 Annual Awards Dinner

The Wisconsin Restaurant Association announced the Association’s top awards at the annual WRA Awards Dinner, held in March at the Intercontinental in Milwaukee.

Bill von Rutenberg of von Rutenberg Ventures in the Madison area was named Restaurateur of the Year, WRA’s highest honor. The Restaurateur of the Year award is given to an operator who demonstrates participation and service to the restaurant association, success within their own restaurant and participation in community activities.  The winner is selected at a private meeting of past Restaurateur of the Year recipients.

Bill and his brothers Jack and Robert operate von Rutenberg Ventures, the popular and successful restaurant group located in the Madison area which includes Mariner’s Inn, Captain Bill’s, the Nau-Ti-Gal and Betty Lou Cruises – all known for their beautiful waterfront views, excellent food and warm hospitality.
Click here for more on Bill von Rutenberg

Linda Koenigs of Jim & Linda’s Lakeveiw Supper Club in Malone was honored with the Chapter Hero Award, recognizing her outstanding service to her local Wisconsin Restaurant Association chapter.
Click here for more on Linda Koenigs

Wisconsin Restaurant Association regional Chapters awarded the following Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year Awards:

Big Four Chapter (Outagamie, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago Counties)
Ada Lara Thimke
Lara’s Tortilla Flats, Oshkosh
Click here for more on Ada Lara Thimke

Eastern Shore (Winnebago, Calumet, Green Lake and Manitowoc Counties)
Patrick Campbell
Al & Al’s Stein Haus, Sheboygan
Click here for more on Patrick Campbell

Green Bay Chapter (Shawano, Brown and Outagamie Counties)
James Wilson
Caffé Espresso, Green Bay
Click here for more on James Wilson

La Crosse Chapter (La Crosse, Jackson, Monroe and Vernon Counties)
Tina Tryggestad
The Cheese Corner, Viroqua
Click here for more on Tina Tryggestad

Milwaukee Chapter (Ozaukee, Washington, Waukesha and Milwaukee Counties)
Christine Specht
Cousins Submarines, headquartered in Menomonee Falls
Click here for more on Christine Specht

West Wisconsin Chapter (Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Eau Claire and Jackson Counties)
Mike DeRosa
Burger King Restaurants, Western Wisconsin
Click here for more on Mike DeRosa

The Outstanding Restaurateur Award is given based on success in business, community service and dedication to the restaurant industry.

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WRA represents a broad range of foodservice operations and is dedicated to promoting and improving the restaurant industry. For more information, visit www.wirestaurant.org.