Awards

The winners were announced at the Lone Star Bash on Sunday, July 11, 2021 at the Brisco Western Art Museum in San Antonio. The Lone Star Bash is part of a weekend of events surrounding TRA Marketplace, the largest industry trade show and educational conference in the southwestern United States that regularly brings in 5,000 or more attendees.  

Three new awards have been introduced for 2021, including the Deep in the Heart Award, celebrating chefs and restaurant owners working outside of a major metropolitan city. Another new award is the Rising Star Award presented by Savory Restaurant Fund, an honor that highlights the achievements of up-and-coming brands.

Rising Star Award

presented by Savory Restaurant Fund

2021: Harlan Scott (Industry – San Marcos)   
 

Deep in the Heart Award

2021: Sanif Maredia (MESS Waffles – College Station) 
 

Outstanding Restaurateur Award

Every year, restaurateurs around the state are honored for work in their communities, leadership success, and entrepreneurial spirit. Winners of the Outstanding Restaurateur Award are recognized during Lone Star Bash ft. the Texas Restaurant Awards event. 

The third new award for 2021 is the Texas Restaurateur of the Year Award. The finalists for this award come from the pool of Outstanding Restaurateur Awards, chosen by their chapter. The Outstanding Restaurateur and finalists for the Texas Restaurateur of the Year Award are:  

2021 Winner of the Texas Restaurateur of the Year Award: Masroor Fatany (The Halal Guys – Houston)

2021 Oustanding Restaurateur Award Winners:
Luis and Rita Barragan (Casa Chapala – Austin) 
May Nardone (Mikel May’s Beachside Bar and Grill – Coastal Bend) 
Lloyd Nichols (The Diner – East Texas) 
Mike Dean (Yaga’s Presents – Galveston) 
Jimmy Contreras (Taco y Vino – Dallas)  
Bob Bratcher (Daddy Bob’s BBQ – North Texas) 
Jessica Delgado (Salome – Rio Grande Valley) 
Rosa Hogeda Torrez (Original Henry’s Diner – San Angelo) 
Russell Kirkpatrick (Reata – Tarrant County) 
Chris Berry (River Smith’s – Lubbock) 

Hall of Honor

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. Criteria include significant time and energy devoted to the benefit of TRA and its members, as well as his or her local chapter. Nominees must also gain proper recognition for the restaurant industry and help to build a positive image.

Check out these profile videos on our most recent inductees:

• Mark Davis Bailey, Original Pancake House, DFW
• Charlie Geren, Railhead Smokehouse, DFW
• Creed Ford III (posthumously), Fired Up Inc., Austin

Read the full press release on our 2021 Hall of Honor inductees here.

Other awards presented at the event include the Educator Excellence Award, presented by Texas Beef Council, the Carmelo Mauro Spirit of Generosity Award, and the Hall of Honor Awards. Award winners are chosen by a mix of staff, board, sponsors, and members. Tickets to attend can be purchased at TXRestaurant.org/LSB. 

Educator Excellence Award

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 award package includes the following:

• $1000 cash prize
• Complimentary registration to the Culinary Educators Training Conference
• 2 tickets to the TRA Marketplace
• 2 tickets to Lone Star Bash
• One-night hotel stay at TRA Marketplace

The winner will go on to represent Texas at the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s Educator Excellence Awards Dinner in Chicago. Students, colleagues, parents and community members are welcome to nominate deserving teachers. Nominate an educator today at the below form.

Learn about the 2021 winner, Natasha Bruton, here.

The Carmelo Award

The Carmelo Award is an 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.

Prior Recipients of the Carmelo Award

2021 - Skeeter Miller, County Line BBQ
2019 – Roger Kaplan
2018 – Russell Woodward, Texas Beef Council
2017 – Russel Ybarra
2016 – Margaret McKoin, The Time Group
2016 – Carmelo Mauro, Carmelo’s Ristorante Italiano

Award Criteria

• Must have a record of distinguished service to the TRF;
• Must have made a lasting contribution to the restaurant and foodservice industry and the mission of the TRF;
• Must have exhibited leadership and provided inspiration to others in the restaurant and foodservice industry;
• Must have positively influenced the restaurant and foodservice industry on a state, national or international level.

Nomination Process

• The Carmelo Award will be presented to the recipient during the TRA Marketplace Texas Restaurant Awards event. Nominees should be cleared to attend the event prior to submitting their name for the award.
• All nominations should be submitted through the online form below when it is available

For questions regarding the TRF Carmelo Award or the nomination process, contact Susan Petty, Chief of Staff, at spetty@txrestaurant.org.

Texas Restaurant Awards: COVID-19

On August 20, 2020, during Virtual TRA Marketplace, the Texas Restaurant Association acknowledged the efforts of hardworking restaurateurs with the first Texas Restaurant Awards: COVID-19. We congratulate the below winners for their efforts, and thank them for their hard work!

Service Award: Marty B's (Bartonville)
Sponsored by Ben E. Keith

People Award: Maple Leaf Diner (Dallas)

Innovation Award: EVO Cinemas (Kyle, San Marcos, New Braunfels, Austin)
Sponsored by Coca Cola Southwest Beverages

Read the full press release here.