Winners Announced by the Texas Restaurant Association Representing Some of Texas’ Best Restaurateurs
The Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) announced the winners for its coveted Texas Restaurant Awards, highlighting some of the state’s most exciting leaders in hospitality. The 2022 Texas Restaurant Awards ceremony, was held as part of the anticipated celebration that kicked off the Texas Restaurant Foundation’s annual Lone Star Bash during the Texas Restaurant Show, held July 9-11, 2022, at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the 2022 Award Winners and celebrate the best of the best and their outstanding achievements,” said Emily Williams Knight, Ed.D., President & CEO of the TRA and TRF. “Winners represent restaurants from across the entire state of Texas, and each have demonstrated inspiring levels of dedication and excellence in their work.”
Major award categories include:
RISING STAR AWARD presented by SYSCO
CHRISTIAN DORTCH, GEORGIE’S BY CURTIS STONE (DALLAS, TX)
This award recognizes the hard work that goes into opening a restaurant. This person or concept is an up-and-comer with ambitious goals and the grit to achieve them.
DEEP IN THE HEART AWARD presented by BEN E. KEITH
NORMA FRANCES ‘TOOTSIE’ TOMANETZ, SNOW’S BBQ (LEXINGTON, TX)
Texas is massive and filled with amazing talent. This award is designed to highlight those successful and creative restaurant owners and chefs with concepts not located in one of the big four metro areas (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, or Austin).
OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR AWARD - presented by CERBONI FINANCIAL
ALLI JARRETT, HAROLD’S RESTAURANT (HOUSTON, TX)
Every year, restaurateurs around the state are honored for work in their communities, leadership success, and entrepreneurial spirit. The finalists for this award come from the pool of winners of the Outstanding Restaurateur Awards, chosen by the individual 23 chapters that comprise the Texas Restaurant Association.
HALL OF HONOR
LISA PERINI, PERINI RANCH STEAKHOUSE (BUFFALO GAP, TX)
SAMMY CITRANO, GEORGE’S RESTAURANT (WACO, TX)
A long-standing Texas Restaurant Association tradition, outstanding individuals are inducted to the Hall of Honor each year to recognize their significant contribution to the Texas restaurant industry and to the association. This honor is the highest that the Association can bestow. To qualify, nominees must have a minimum of 15 years of TRA membership and exemplify superior business ethics.
CHEF TIM KELLY AWARD FOR EDUCATOR EXCELLENCE
CHEF TYLER KENT OSBURN ‘CHEF TKO’, Waller High School (WALLER, TX)
Texas ProStart instructors who demonstrate leadership and excellence in culinary education are eligible to contend for the annual Educator Excellence Award. Teachers must be advocates of the Texas ProStart program and dedicated to helping students achieve success. Awarded to educators who have made significant contributions in the classroom and beyond.
THE CARMELO MAURO AWARD - THE SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY
PATRICK COSTELLO, St. Philip’s College (SAN ANTONIO, TX)
The Carmelo Mauro Award is annual recognition, given by the Texas Restaurant Foundation (TRF), for outstanding achievement by an individual philanthropist who has demonstrated the highest ethical standards, commitment, dedication, and talent towards the future of the restaurant and foodservice industry.
Congratulations to the following 2022 TRA Chapter Restaurateur of the Year recipients:
Abilene Chapter — Lindsay Flores, Lytle Land & Cattle Company
Brazos Valley Chapter — Clayton Rhoades, Chicken Express
Coastal Bend Chapter — Sam Canavati, Brewsters Street Ice House
El Paso Chapter — Jim Diaz, Pelican's Steak & Seafood
Galveston Chapter — Dennis Byrd, Island Famous
Greater Austin Chapter — Alex Eagle, Freebirds World Burrito
Greater Dallas Chapter — Christopher Aslam, Rock Strategic Restaurant Group
Greater Houston Chapter — Alli Jarrett, Harold's Restaurant
Lubbock Chapter — Jerol Fanta, Orlando's Italian Restaurant
Montgomery County Chapter — Darin McKenzie, McKenzie's Barbecue & Burgers
North Texas Chapter — Bob Bratcher, Daddy Bob's Smokewagon
Panhandle Chapter — Dallas Hager, Joe Taco
Permian Basin Chapter — Michael Ramirez, 10 Sports Bar & Grill
Rio Grande Valley Chapter — Sony Rego, Santa Fe Steakhouse
Sabine Area Chapter — Frankie Randazzo, Madison's Group
San Angelo Chapter — Ronnie Cajas, Street Eats
San Antonio Chapter — Dave Saylor, Acadiana Café
Waco Chapter — Massimo Di Campli, Di Campli's Italian Ristorante
Learn more about the Texas Restaurant Awards here.
Formed in 1937, the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA) serves as the advocate and indispensable resource for the foodservice industry in Texas. The TRA represents the state’s $70 billion restaurant industry, which comprises approximately 50,000 locations and a workforce of 1.3 million employees. Along with the Texas Restaurant Foundation, the workforce development arm of the TRA, the association proudly continues to protect, advance, and educate a growing industry as the TRA enters its 85th anniversary year. For more information, please visit www.txrestaurant.org.
