SCRLA to Host its 69th Annual Stars of South Carolina Hospitality Industry Awards

The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) will host its 69^th Annual Stars of South Carolina Hospitality Awards on Monday, February 21 at 1881 Event Hall in Spartanburg.

The Stars of South Carolina Hospitality Industry Awards celebrate the exceptional professionalism and outstanding service of top individuals in the hospitality industry. These individuals go above and beyond to contribute to the positive image of the hospitality industry while also being confronted with supply and labor shortages.

“Every hotel or restaurant guest can tell you of a time when a particular individual made their experience exceptional,” said Susan Cohen, SCRLA’s new President and CEO. “Recognizing the true stars of our industry, who daily exemplify the meaning of hospitality through their professionalism and service, is one of the highlights of our year.” 

This year’s awards finalists are listed below.

Community-Based Award winners include:

Hospitality Educator of the Year

Bill Twaler • Truist Culinary & Hospitality Innovation Center

Hospitality Supplier of the Year

SpotOn

Outstanding Community Service Program (<5 locations)
Haydn Shaak • Restaurant 17 and Hotel Domestique

Outstanding Community Service Program (>5 locations)
Ryan Larson • SERG Restaurant Group

Outstanding Community Event - Midlands Area Vaccination Clinic for Hospitality Employees
Blue Marlin
Lovelace Family Medicine, P.A.
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center

Rising Star

Qiah Hernandez • Lazy Goat/Table 301 Apprenticeship

Our Stars of the Industry finalists include:

Hotelier of the Year

Jason Price • Pinnacle Partnership
Yatish Patel • Sycamore Investment Group

Lodging Manager of the Year

Jana Medlin • Wingate by Wyndham Columbia/Lexington

Chris Osborne • Embassy Suites by Hilton Greenville Golf Resort & Conference Center

Lodging Front of House Employee of the Year

Bryan Hernandez • Wentworth Mansion

Delphine Holden • IMIC Hotels

Lodging Heart of House Employee of the Year

Rosa Fonseca • Sheraton Myrtle Beach

Telly West • North Charleston Marriott

Hotel Chef of the Year

Fernando Coppola • AC by Marriott Hotel Greenville

Restaurateur of the Year

Michael Ivey • Rick Erwin Dining Group
Bob Munnich • Dray Bar and Grill & 1800 Drayton Catering and Events

Restaurant Manager of the Year

Natasha Cline • Southern888 LLC

Lucas Haramut • Soby’s New South Cuisine

Restaurant Front of House Employee of the Year

Nichelle Torres • Rick Erwin Dining Group

Sydney Lopez • Market on Main

Restaurant Heart of House Employee of the Year

James Glenn • Hilton Greenville

Tierra Locklear • Greenville Country Club

Restaurant Bartender of the Year

Ben Fleming • Heirloom – A Milltown Eatery

Kelsey Bundy • Market on Main

Restaurant Chef of the Year

Adam Cooke • Topsoil Restaurant

Robin Hinton • Lucy Buffet’s LuLu’s North Myrtle Beach

Outstanding Certified Sommelier

Hernan Martinez • Hampton Street Vineyard

Tori Whittenberg • Ruth’s Chris Steak House

All finalists will be recognized for their hard work and dedication to the hospitality industry on stage at the gala in February. More information about tickets and sponsorship opportunities can be found at www.scrla.org.

Tickets are $75 for SCRLA members and $100 for non-members.