The Vermont Hospitality Council (VHC), the tourism division of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, is currently seeking nominations for five high-profile industry awards: the Borden Avery Innkeeper of the Year, Chef of the Year, Restaurateur of the Year, B&B Innkeeper of the Year, and Allied Member of the Year. The deadline for nominations is July 30, 2009.
The winners will be honored at the annual reunion of the tourism industry, the Vermont Hospitality Gala. The Gala is scheduled for the evening of September 16 at The Essex, Vermont's Culinary Resort & Spa (formerly the Inn at Essex).
Award winning businesses will:
Demonstrate superior management ability as reflected in a successful business
Display commitment to training, motivating and furthering self-improvement of staff
Promote and support legislation beneficial to the hospitality industry on local, state and national levels, and Provide consistent leadership within the community
Nominations should also describe why the business deserves the award, their contributions to the industry, how many years they have been in business, and if they have received any other awards. Press clippings, letters of reference, and other materials to support your nomination are encouraged. Please note that all questions must be answered in order for the nomination to be considered complete. Self-nominations are welcome.
Please reference your nomination and submit information in hard copy if preferred to: Vermont Hospitality Council Awards, Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and PO Box 37, Montpelier, VT 05601. For additional information, contact Vicky Tebbetts at: [email protected].
Borden E. Avery Innkeeper Award: The Borden E. Avery Innkeeper Award is the Vermont hospitality industry's most prestigious award, designed for individuals who have held long time, high profile positions in the state's tourism industry. The winner of the 2008 Borden E. Avery Innkeeper Award was Sheri Baraw, of the Stoweflake Resort & Spa, Stowe. To nominate your Borden E. Avery Innkeeper, visit http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/56d1g3e2e8
Chef of the Year: The Chef the Year Award is designed for an individual who has a proven history of supporting Vermont's agricultural economy through the use of local food and products. The Chef of the Year also donates time or services to the community at large through the operation and management of a restaurant in Vermont. Additional criteria for the Chef of the Year Award include a demonstrated commitment to the use of local ingredients in developing creative dishes with excellent flavor and presentation. The winner of the 2008 Chef of the Year Award was Jason Tostrup, of the Inn at Weathersfield, in Perkinsville. To nominate your Chef of the Year, visit http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/56d1g3e2de
Restaurateur of the Year: The Restaurateur of the Year Award is designed for an individual who continues to demonstrate excellence in the operation and management of a restaurant in Vermont. The winner of the 2008 Restaurateur of the Year Award was Domenico Spano of Mimmo's, in Saint Albans and Essex. To nominate your Restaurateur of the Year, visit http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/56d1g3e421
B & B Innkeeper of the Year Award: The B & B Innkeeper of the Year Award is designed for individuals who continue to demonstrate excellence in the operation and management of a smaller Vermont bed & breakfast or inn. The winners of the B & B Innkeeper of the Year Award were Robert Dean and Ari Nikki of the Juniper Hill Inn in Windsor. To nominate your B & B Innkeeper of the Year, visit http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/56d1g3e423
Allied Member of the Year: The Allied Member of the Year Award is designed for an individual who goes above and beyond in offering a service that supports the hospitality industry in Vermont. The winner of the 2008 Allied Member of the Year Award was Lyle Jepson from Stafford Technical Center in Rutland. To nominate your Allied Member of the Year, visit http://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/56d1g3e2e4