SCRLA to Host its 68th Annual Stars of South Carolina Hospitality Industry Awards Gala

January 11, 2021 (Columbia, SC)—The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) will host its 68^th Annual Stars of South Carolina Hospitality Awards on Monday, February 1 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Columbia. Chip Rogers, President and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, will keynote the event.

The Stars of South Carolina Hospitality Awards celebrate the exceptional professionalism and outstanding service of top individuals in the hospitality industry.

“Although these are difficult times, that makes it even more important to take advantage of opportunities to celebrate outstanding accomplishments. That’s one reason why we are looking forward so very much to honoring the best-of-the-best in the South Carolina’s tourism industry,” said John Durst, SCRLA’s President and CEO. “Honoring exceptional work—which exemplifies the highest standards and best practices of the hospitality industry on a daily basis—will be a special, memorable occasion for our industry.”

Awards winners and runners up are listed below.

Community-Based Award winners include:

Our Stars of the Industry finalists include:

Hotelier of the Year
Andrew Cajka
Spartanburg Marriott

Lodging Manager of the Year
Ashley Johnson
Courtyard by Marriott Columbia

Tony Lee
Sheraton Myrtle Beach

Lodging Front of House Employee of the Year
Darren Whitaker
Meeting Street Inn

Toby Wiggers
Graduate Columbia

Lodging Heart of House Employee of the Year
Carole Roglin
Hilton Grand Vacations

Conrad Cooper
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront

Hotel Bartender of the Year
Dorothy Kohl
Westin Poinsett

Phil Sacco
Sheraton Myrtle Beach

Hotel Chef of the Year
Connor Kaiser
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront

Haydn Shaak
Hotel Domestique/Restaurant 17

Restaurateur of the Year
Anthony DiBernardo
Swig & Swine

Restaurant Manager of the Year
Alberto Vargas
California Dreaming

Hanna Platt
Wild Dunes

Restaurant Front of House Employee of the Year
Acadia Kant
CityRange Steakhouse Grill

Dawn Hlavacek
Croissants Bistro

Restaurant Heart of House Employee of the Year

Malcolm McMillan
Restaurant 17

Sarah Pinkernell
Larkin’s Restaurants

Restaurant Bartender of the Year
Kat Hunter
Bourbon Columbia

Michael Wade
Rick Erwin’s Clemson

Restaurant Chef of the Year
Ben Sanders
RJ Rockers Brewing Company

Nico Romo
NICO | Oysters & Seafood

Outstanding Certified Sommelier
Joe Crossan
Table 301

Sarah Tomlinson
NICO | Oysters & Seafood

Winners will be announced at the gala in February. More information about tickets and sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.scrla.org. Tickets are $40 for SCRLA members and $55 for non-members.

About the SC Restaurant and Lodging Association

For more than 75 years, the SCRLA represents more than 2,200 member companies and 210,000 employees across the state.  Our mission is to promote, protect and educate the foodservice and lodging industries of our state and to ensure positive business growth for our members. The SCRLA strives to represent the best interests of its members on small business issues, hospitality and tourism concerns and towards the protection of South Carolina’s quality of life. For more information, please visit SCRLA.org.