The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), the voice of North Carolina’s $23 billion restaurant, foodservice and lodging industry, hosted the 2020 Stars of the Industry awards ceremony last night at the Raleigh Marriott City Center.

Sixteen members from North Carolina’s hospitality community were acknowledged for their steadfast commitment to the populations they serve. Two members of the NC General Assembly, Representative Becky Carney and Senator Jerry Tillman, were also recognized for their consistent support of the state’s business growth, while hospitality recipients were selected based on their exemplary service, leadership, innovation and dedication to the restaurant and lodging industries. Their commitment to the guest experience makes North Carolina a highlight for visitors from around the world and across the state.

Among the honorees recognized last night were Jim Beley of The Umstead Hotel and Spa, who took home the Griff and June Glover Award for Distinguished Service, and Jim Noble of Noble Food and Pursuits, who took home Ken Conrad Award for Service to the Community. Leaders like Beley and Noble have dedicated themselves to advancing the hospitality experience in the state and have set the tone for their colleagues with their work ethic and commitment to the industry.

“Our annual Stars of the Industry awards are an excellent way to celebrate the exemplary performance and dedication that each of these recipients display to their team and the guests they serve,” said NCRLA President and CEO Lynn Minges. “We are proud to recognize the hardworking men and women that make North Carolina such a prominent place to work, play and visit.”

The emcees for the night were Max Trujillo and Matt Weiss of the NC Food & Beverage Podcast. Thank you to our Premier Sponsor US Foods, Platinum Sponsor Butterball, Silver Sponsor UnitedHealthcare and Bronze Sponsors Ecolab, Pepsi Bottling Ventures and S & D Coffee & Tea.

The 2020 NCRLA Stars of the Industry award recipients are:

- Griff and June Glover Award for Distinguished Service

Jim Beley, The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary

- Ken Conrad Award for Service to the Community

Jim Noble, Noble Food and Pursuits, Charlotte

- Lodging Employee of the Year

Kevin Cottet, Beacon IMG – Staybridge Suites, Wilmington

- Lodging Manager of the Year

Melissa Bach, Raleigh Marriott City Center, Raleigh

- Lodging Operator of the Year

Robert Dedman Jr., Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst

- Restaurant Employee of the Year

Jeffrey Bryant, Golden Corral, Winston-Salem

- Restaurant Manager of the Year

Roger Carter, Winston’s Grille, Raleigh

- Restaurateurs of the Year

Michael Thor, Whiskey Kitchen, Raleigh

Jeff Mickel, Whiskey Kitchen, Raleigh

- Hospitality Supplier of the Year

Stephanie Gaston Poley, Cranfill, Sumner & Hartzog LLP, Raleigh

- Lifetime Achievement Awards

Maurice Jennings, Biscuitville, Greensboro

Sam Saleh, Neomonde, Raleigh

- Hospitality Champion of the Year, Senate

Senator Jerry W. Tillman, NC General Assembly, Archdale

- Hospitality Champion of the Year, House

Representative Becky Carney, NC General Assembly, Charlotte

- 2019 NCRLA Chef of the Year

Steven Goff, AUX Bar, Asheville

- 2019 NCRLA Pastry Chef of the Year

Jamie Turner, The Asbury and Soul Food Sessions, Charlotte

- 2019 NCRLA Mixologist of the Year

Johnny Burritt, Antidote, Asheville

- 2019 NCRLA Distillery of the Year

Debbie Word, Apothecary Beverage Company, Asheville

For more information about the 2020 NCRLA Stars of the Industry, visit www.ncrla.org/stars.