The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), the voice of North Carolina’s $22 billion restaurant, foodservice and lodging industry, announced the 2017 winners of its Stars of the Industry Awards in a ceremony during Taste of North Carolina at the Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill yesterday evening. The award winners showcase a commitment to valued guests and are selected based on their exemplary service, leadership, innovation and dedication in the restaurant, lodging and hospitality industries.

“Our honorees are some of the most established and faithful members of North Carolina’s restaurant and lodging industry,” said Lynn Minges, president and CEO, NCRLA. “Our annual Stars of the Industry Awards and Taste of North Carolina pay tribute to the tireless efforts of our industry members and their dedication and hard work that helps improve the North Carolina hospitality industry year after year.”

The 2017 NCRLA Stars of the Industry Award recipients include:

• NCRLA Chef of the Year

Jesse Roque, Executive Chef & Owner, Never Blue, Hendersonville

• NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year

Jossie Perlmutter, Pastry Chef, Block & Grinder, Charlotte

• Hospitality Champion of the Year

Senator Rick Gunn, NC General Assembly, Raleigh

• Lifetime Achievement Award

Christina Larson, LongHorn Steakhouse, Summerfield

• Hospitality Supplier of the Year

Christina Clark, Vice President of Sales, Shelton Vineyards, Dobson

• Restaurateur of the Year

G Patel, President and Founder, Eschelon Experiences, Raleigh

• Lodging Operator of the Year

Peter Grills, General Manager, The Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, Charlotte

• The Griff & June Glover Award for Distinguished Service

Lance Trenary, President & CEO, Golden Corral, Raleigh

• The Ken Conrad Award for Service to the Community

Doris Huebner, Co-Owner, F&D Huebner LLC/McDonald’s, Garner

• Lodging Employee of the Year

Tommy Turrentine, Banquet Bar Captain, Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, Durham

• Lodging Manager of the Year

Dan McLaughlin, F&B Director, Hilton Durham near Duke University, Durham

David Press, Assistant General Manager, Hyatt House Raleigh North Hills, Raleigh

• Restaurant Employee of the Year

Sheri Costa, Server, Golden Corral, Raleigh

• Restaurant Manager of the Year

Brenda Johnson, Front of House Manager, Carolina Ale House, Concord

Guy Murphy, General Manager, Top of the Hill Restaurant, Brewery & Distillery, Chapel Hill

For more information about the NCRLA 2017 Stars of the Industry Awards and Taste of North Carolina, visit www.ncrla.org/taste.

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