Award Winners

WISCONSIN RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION REGIONAL AWARDS
In 2019, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association created a new awards program to honor restaurant industry professionals around the state. Individuals are able to nominate themselves or may be nominated by a peer or customer.

Three finalists from each category and in each of the five regions in the state are chosen by popular vote using an online ballot. A selection committee determines the regional winners (one in each award category from each of the five regions).

There are two regional award categories: Champion of Restaurant Entrepreneurship (CORE) and Best of the House: Front of the House and Back of the House.

Champion of Restaurant Entrepreneurship (CORE)

AWARD WINNERS
An owner/operator will be recognized for their contributions to Wisconsin’s restaurant industry in the following areas: demonstrated passion for and success in their business, committed community involvement and support of WRA through membership. Nominees should show strong leadership skills, business acumen, a knack for moving the industry forward as innovators and be well-respected employers.

2022 Winners:

Region 3: Sue Lamers – Grand Meridan, Appleton
Region 4: Mark Gold – Pizza Shuttle, Milwaukee
Region 5: Danielle Wheatman – Kalahari Resorts, Wisconsin Dells

2020 Winners:

Region 1: Phillip Wanke – Burger Fusion Company, La Crosse
Region 2: Bill Tressler – Hinterland Brewing Company, Green Bay
Region 3: Jim and Gwen Seeboth – Seeboth Delicatessen, Sheboygan
Region 4: Christine Specht – Cousins Subs, Milwaukee
Region 5: Tom Anderson – Buck & Honey’s Restaurant Group, Monona

2019 Winners:

Region 2: Heather & Marcel Biró – Black Forest Pub & Grill, Three Lakes
Region 3: James Seeboth – Seeboth Delicatessen, Sheboygan
Region 4: Michael Holz – Brunch, Milwaukee and Brookfield
Region 5: José García – Hubbard Avenue Diner, Middleton

Best of the House—Front of the House (FOH)

AWARD WINNERS
Nominees in these categories should be inspiring examples of employees who demonstrate professionalism in their jobs and help to further the positive image of the foodservice industry in Wisconsin.
Eligible employees include staff who have regular contact with customers. The award recognizes front of the house staff who exhibit outstanding customer service, strong work ethic, leadership skills and have earned the respect of their colleagues and employer.

2022 Winner:

Region 4: Abby Veitch – Summerfest/Milwaukee World Festival, Milwaukee

2020 Winners:

Region 1: Sherry Muller-Flory – Trempealeau Hotel, Restaurant & Saloon, Trempealeau
Region 2: Penny Fairchild – The Blue Bayou Inn Restaurant, Manitowish Waters
Region 3: Tera Castillo – Seeboth Delicatessen, Sheboygan
Region 4: Zachary Heiniger – Brunch, Milwaukee
Region 5: Eric Sasse – Parthenon Gyros, Madison

2019 Winners:

Region 2: Rachel Gee – Black Forest Pub & Grill, Three Lakes
Region 3: Amanda Mihalic – Culver's of Little Chute, Litte Chute
Region 4: Sarah Ruffert – Potawatomi Hotel and Casino, Milwaukee
Region 5: Ben Brady – Everly & Miko Poke, Madison

Best of the House—Back of the House (BOH)

AWARD WINNERS
Nominees in these categories should be inspiring examples of employees who demonstrate professionalism in their jobs and help to further the positive image of the foodservice industry in Wisconsin.
Eligible employees include staff from the back of the house. The award recognizes staff who exhibit attention to detail, calm under pressure, strong work ethic and leadership skills.

2022 Winners:

Region 1: Kathy Colon – Draganetti's Ristorante, Eau Claire
Region 5: Chris Ott – Fireside Theatre, Fort Atkinson

2020 Winners:

Region 1: Lauren Peterson-Green – Draganetti’s Ristorante & Za51 Pizzeria, Eau Claire
Region 3: Fred Griesbach – Cooking World Culinary Services, Stevens Point
Region 4: Joe Schreiter – Mistral & Avalon Atmospheric Theater, Milwaukee
Region 5: Jesse Stiff – Mariner’s Inn/Betty Lou Cruises, Madison

2019 Winners:

Region 1: Alex Slimak – Za 51 & Draganetti’s Ristorante, Altoona
Region 2: Matthew Mazur – The Blue Bayou Inn Restaurant, Manitowish Waters
Region 3: Geddy Nordby – DeO’s Pizzeria & Pub, Plymouth
Region 4: John Moosreiner – Golden Mast Inn, Okauchee
Region 5: Chris Myers – Cento Ristorante, Madison

Innovation Award

AWARD WINNERS
A business will be recognized for their new methods and creative thinking during the unfortunate shutdowns and difficult times we have faced during the pandemic.

Since the start of the pandemic, restaurants have had to stretch concepts beyond their normalcy and come up with new and innovated ways to keep their staff and public safe and stay in business.

Did your food service establishment have something unique implemented?
Was the business model changed to match the demand for extra safety measures?
What were your “outside the box” ideas?

2022 Winners:

Ryan and Kristi Klopcic – Fireside Theatre, Fort Atkinson
Erin Vranas – Parthenon Gyros and Yips Yogurt Chips, Madison

Restaurateur of the Year (ROY) Past Winners

2022 Joanne Palzkill
2021 Dave Flannery
2020    Charlie Gray
2019    Susie Patterson
2018    Chico Pope
2017    Mark & Jean Landreman
2016    Mary Rowley
2015    Lynn McDonough
2014    Trey Hester
2013    Steve Schilling
2012    Craig & Lea Culver
2011    Bill von Rutenberg
2010    Mark Dougherty
2009    Dick Rudin
2008    Steve Davis
2007   Tom & Lynn Saxe
2006    Linda Wendt

2005    Paul Cunningham
2004    Tom & Kiki Warren
2003    Gary Anderson
2002    Joe De Rosa
2001    Steve Allen
2000    Dale Leffel
1999    Bruce Wolf
1998    Jeff Steren
1997 Ron Slaght
1996 Dick Kroening
1995 Mike Pitzo
1994 Bernard Kurzawa
1993 Bob Chuck
1992 Alfred Peck
1991    John Kavanaugh
1990 Karl Van Roy
1989 Rollin Natter

1988 Ron Heuser
1987 Fred Krautkramer
1986 Chuck & Carol Roherty
1985 John "Butch" Arps
1984 Don Zarder
1983 James Speth
1982 Henry Anderson
1981 Louis Bemis
1980 George Pandl
1979 Dale Rudy
1978 Heinz Fischer
1977 Bernard Schreiner
1976 Karl Ratzsch
1975 Cosmos Hoffman
1974    Joe LoCicero
1973 John Von Gnechten
1972 Lyle Poole