See 2023 Winners

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. A selection committee determines the regional winners (one in each award category from each of the five regions).
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There are three regional award categories: Champion of Restaurant Entrepreneurship (CORE), Best of the House: Front of the House & Back of the House and Innovation Award. NEW THIS YEAR!! Winners from each category will win $300!

Sponsored by:

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.

2023 Winner:

• Region 5: John Kavanaugh IV – LJ’s Sports Bar, Madison

​2022 Winners:

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

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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.

2023 Winners:

• Region 1: Samantha Raspotnik – Draganetti’s, Eau Claire
  
• Region 4: Wayne Bartz – Eddie Martini’s, Milwaukee
• Region 5: Dion Russ and Amiee Anderson TIED – Buck and Honey’s, Monona
  

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.

2023 Winner:

• Region 5: Bobby Walker, Jr – Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint, Beloit
  

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
Innovation is the future of our industry! Have you implemented anything unique to help your business grow? To create a new value to your customers or employees? Have you done something to streamline efficiencies in your business?

2023 Winner:

• Klaus Nitsch – Geronimo Hospitality Group at ABC Supply Stadium, Beloit
  

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

2023    Susan Lamers
2022    Joanne Palzkill
2021    Dave & Vicki 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