Nominations are now open for the annual Industry Excellence Awards, presented by Bar & Restaurant Expo. The Industry Excellence Awards celebrate and support the individuals who make the independent bar and restaurant industry great. These awards honor leaders and teams for their integrity and commitment to equality, sustainability, community and culture.
Nominations will be open through Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, and winners will be announced at the 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo on Tuesday, March 25, 2024. Nominations can be made here.
2025 Nomination Categories
Individual Awards
Bartender of the Year: This award is given to a bartender of exemplary performance, skill and dedication—both behind the bar and beyond it. This person has worked tirelessly to improve his or her bar program, bar culture, guest experience and the industry at large, serving as a positive example for other beverage professionals.
Chef of the Year: This individual sets high personal and professional standards for chefs across the industry. Chef of the Year will be awarded to someone dedicated to culinary excellence, as well as sustainable, ethical practices and inclusive culture.
Community Leadership Award: This award is open to anyone in the food & beverage industry who has demonstrated outstanding contributions and dedication to bettering the local community.
Venue Awards
Bar of the Year: Awarded to a venue whose primary offering is beverage, the Bar of the Year has a unique identity and has established itself as a leader within the category. This award is given to an establishment that consistently demonstrates exceptional hospitality, creativity, training, culture and service.
Restaurant of the Year: The Restaurant of the Year has established itself as a leader in the community and has made a significant impact within the industry. This venue boasts a unique atmosphere, thoughtful food & beverage offerings and a training program.
Best Hospitality Training Program: This award is given to a restaurant or bar that has prioritized hospitality and guest experience by investing in a robust onboarding and continuing education program that yields results and consistently demonstrates exceptional hospitality, creativity, culture and service.
Best Cocktail Program: This award is given to an establishment with an excellent cocktail program that exhibits uniqueness, breadth, and cohesiveness around a goal or a theme. The Best Cocktail Program recognizes a versatile menu that is on-trend while pushing the boundaries of mixology.
NEW! Design of the Year: This award recognizes a bar or restaurant that showcases exceptional creativity and innovation in design. The winning space will have seamlessly integrated architecture, lighting, layout, and ambiance, enhancing both customer comfort and operational efficiency. Attention to detail in material choices, theme coherence, and how the design elevates the overall brand identity will be key factors in determining the winner.
Judging
Nominees will be evaluated by a panel of expert judges from Johnson & Wales University to determine finalists, and ultimately the winner, in each category. Each finalist will be awarded two Expo Plus Passes to the 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo, as well as recognition on the Bar & Restaurant website, social media, and newsletter before and during the expo. The winners in each category will receive a beautiful custom award, one Conference Pass to the 2026 Bar & Restaurant Expo, and additional media recognition on the website, social media, newsletters and more.
This year’s panel of expert judges from Johnson & Wales University are:
Brian Warrener, Associate Professor & Chair
Jennifer Broderick, Professor
Sarah Malik, Associate Professor
Deana Marzocchi, Associate Professor
Michael O'Malley, CPS Director of Academic Programs
In addition to the Industry Excellence awards, Bar & Restaurant will also present the Industry Impact Award, which recognizes an individual who has made a lasting impact on the overall hospitality industry. This individual has a passion for the industry and has helped advance it in significant ways, like enhancing employee culture, raising the visibility of under-represented businesses and owners, supporting mental health, sobriety and addiction recovery initiatives, implementing fair wage compensation, sustainability and more.
Enter the Industry Excellence Awards!
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