Nomination forms for Hospitality Industry Awards must be received no later than Friday, July 22, 2016. The categories are:
Restaurateur of the Year
The “Restaurateur of the Year” award is the highest honor a person can receive in the New Mexico restaurant industry. Nominees may be an individual or a partnership with one or more foodservice operations. Only one award is given – make your nomination count! To be eligible for New Mexico’s outstanding “Restaurateur of the Year,” the nominee must be someone who:
- Contributes to the advancement and prestige of the foodservice industry
- Is actively engaged and employed in the foodservice industry for a minimum of the past three consecutive years as a restaurant owner or manager
- Demonstrates contributions of leadership, service, and involvement in community and/or civic affairs
- Exemplifies excellence in customer service, employee relations, innovation, and passion for the industry
Chef of the Year
The “Chef of the Year” category was established to recognize an exemplary chef in New Mexico. To be eligible for New Mexico’s outstanding “Chef of the Year,” the nominee must be someone who:
- Contributes to the advancement and prestige of the foodservice industry
- Is currently employed in the foodservice industry in New Mexico, and has been actively engaged and employed in the foodservice industry for a minimum of the past three consecutive years
- Demonstrates leadership, creativity, and culinary excellence in their workplace\
- Exemplifies remarkable guest service, mentorship, and quality inside and outside the kitchen
Manager of the Year
The “Manager of the Year” honors and acknowledges deserving restaurant managers. Many of New Mexico’s restaurants are operated on a daily basis by outstanding managers. To be eligible for New Mexico’s outstanding “Manager of the Year,” the nominee must be someone who:
- Contributes to the advancement and prestige of the foodservice industry
- Is employed in a managerial position, and has been actively engaged and employed in the foodservice industry for a minimum of the past three consecutive years
- Demonstrates contributions of leadership, service, and involvement in community and/or civic affairs
- Exemplifies outstanding managerial skills including team building, customer service, and facilitation of a remarkable dining experience
Legacy Award
This award allows owners, managers, supervisors, co-workers and the general public the opportunity to acknowledge employees and restaurants which have given exceptional service to guests, the community, and the hospitality industry for decades. All eligible nominees will be receiving awards. There are two categories:
- Legacy Employee – will have exemplified a legacy of service and demonstrated a commitment to the industry for at least 30 years. This category is open to all employees: Host, Server, Bar Staff, Bus Staff, Cooks, and Prep Staff. The nominee must have at least 30 years of service for the same restaurant, or at least 50 years of service to the industry.
- Legacy Restaurant – open to any restaurant with a record of a minimum of 40 years of offering fabulous food and exemplary service to New Mexico’s diners
Restaurant Neighbor Award
Each year, the New Mexico Restaurant Association honors restaurants that are actively involved in community service with the Restaurant Neighbor Award. Restaurants may nominate themselves for this award. To be eligible for New Mexico’s outstanding “Restaurant Neighbor Award,” the nominee must be an owner or establishment who:
- Is actively committed to community service, and can illustrate this activism through specific projects, campaigns, and involvement
- Can detail their community service activities with facts and figures and testimonial
