Awards

HONORING RESTAURANT PROFESSIONALS IN WISCONSIN
The Wisconsin Restaurant Association works to shine a light on deserving individuals in the restaurant industry who are making a difference in their industry or in their communities.

The Wisconsin Restaurant Association is pleased to celebrate the Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch. These dynamic and accomplished women are chosen across all hospitality industry sectors and career levels for being trailblazers in the restaurant and hospitality industry in Wisconsin and an inspiration to all. 

View 2024 Winners

Wisconsin Restaurant Association Restaurateur of the Year (ROY) Award

Every year, the Restaurateur of the Year award is given to an operator who demonstrates exemplary participation and service to the industry and the restaurant association, impressive success within their own restaurant and committed participation in community activities. This is the Association’s highest honor. The winner is selected at an annual private meeting of past ROY recipients.​

Restaurateur of the Year (ROY) Past Winners

2024    Chris Wiken
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