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 2019 winner, Becky J. Salter, here.
The deadline for submissions is June 15.
The Carmelo Award
The Carmelo Award is an annual recognition, given by the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation (TRAEF), 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
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 TRAEF;
- Must have made a lasting contribution to the restaurant and foodservice industry and the mission of the TRAEF;
- 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
For questions regarding the TRAEF Carmelo Award or the nomination process, contact Susan Petty, Chief of Staff, at spetty@txrestaurant.org.
The deadline for submissions is June 15.
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 the Texas Restaurant Awards event.
Anyone can nominate a restaurant operator for this award. Winners are chosen by their chapter members.
The deadline for submissions is June 15.
2019 OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR AWARD WINNERS:
Richard Dewitt Jr.
Clear Springs Restaurant
East Texas Chapter
Jerry Maddox
Fazoli's
Rio Grande Valley Chapter
Yolanda Franco
Western Sky Steakhouse
San Angelo Chapter
Chris Berry
River Smith's
Lubbock Chapter
Ed Hudson
Jason's Deli
Coastal Bend Chapter
Tilman Fertitta
Landry's
Greater Houston Restaurant Association
2018 OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR AWARD WINNERS:
Tim Condon
Lonestar Cheeseburger Company
Angry Cactus West Texas Bar & Grill
San Angelo
Larry Delgado
house. wine. & bistro.
SALT – New American Table
McAllen - Rio Grande Chapter
Andrew Gugar
Posadas Cafe
East Texas
Kendall Howard
Howard Restaurant Group
Lubbock
Doris and Paul Miller
Gr8 Plate Hospitality
Greater Houston
2017 OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR AWARD WINNERS:
Sharon Watkins
Chez Zee American Bistro | Austin
Damian and Trina Mandola
Mandola’s | Austin
Janice Provost
Parigi | Dallas
Aaron Lyons
Dish Society | Houston
Mike Van Syckle
Atomic Omelette and Grill | Rio Grande Valley
Phil Bradley
Copper Caboose | Lubbock
Erik Zobel and Je’na Wall (posthumous)
Zero One Ale House | San Angelo
Brian Kelleher
575 Pizzeria | Amarillo
Arthur Garcia
Nicha’s Comida Mexicana | San Antonio
Veronica Segovia Esparza
Absolutely Delicious Catering and Blanco BBQ | San Antonio
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.
The deadline for submissions is May 1, 2021.
Check out these profile videos on our most recent inductees:
Tracy Vaught, Houston
David Cole, Irving
Read the full press release on our 2020 Hall of Honor inductees here.
2019
Estella Martinez, Dallas
Roger Lumley, Tyler
Mike Shine, Houston
Read the press release on our 2019 Hall of Honor Nominees
2018
Bob Westbrook, Tyler
Leo Duran, El Paso
2017
Scott Plowman, Wichita Falls
2016
Greg Stockton, Wichita Falls
Jeffrey Yarbrough, Dallas
Russell Ybarra, Houston
2015
David Cea, Lubbock
Mark Maguire, Dallas
Steve Richmond, San Antonio
2014
Doug Brooks, Dallas
Bonnie Dominguez, El Paso
Skeeter Miller, Austin
2013
Jimmy Hasslocher, San Antonio
Ricardo Molina,Houston
Rosemary Kowalski, San Antonio
2011
Gerard Cace
Carmelo Mauro, Houston
Tom Kenney, Austin
2010
Malcolm DeShields, Corpus Christi
Ed Murph, Carrollton
Ralph Sheffield, Temple
2009
Harvey Kloesel, Moulton
Raul Molina, Jr., Houston
Betty Zentner, San Angelo
2008
Viola Barrios
Richie Jackson, Austin
Don Pittman
2007
Bruce Walcutt
Jim Baron, Dallas
2006
Richard Galvan, Frisco
Francisco "Paco" Vargas, Galveston
Gerald Stone, Austin
2005
Anthony Duncan, El Paso
Tom Perini, Buffalo Gap
Peggy Scott, Fort Worth
2004
Earl Abel, Jr.,
Bob Barnes, Granbury
2003
Bill Daniel, Wichita Falls
Brad Lomax, Corpus Christi
Gene Street, Dallas
2002
George W. DeWinne, San Antonio
Ernie Stith, Longview
2001
Hope Garcia Lancarte, Fort Worth
Christopher J. Pappas, Houston
2000
Bobby D. Cox, Fort Worth
Matt G. Martinez, Jr.,
1999
Larry Forehand, Bellaire
Chris Semos
1998
W. H. “Bill” Cromer
Dick Dozier
1997
A. J. Leger
Hans Nadler, San Antonio
Beatrice Trevino, Victoria
1996
David Cortez, San Antonio
W. O. “Ted” Thedford
1995
Norman Brinker, Dallas
Larry D. Durrett, Jacksonville
Frank L. Smith
1994
Michael Colias
John K. Miller, San Antonio
1993
C. “Gus” Katsigris, Dallas
Mary Levy, Waco
Jack C. Richmond, San Antonio
1992
Sonny Bryan
Frank Green, Stephenville
Robert Hawk, Rockwall
Gus Keriotis
Robert Levy
1991
Herb Blankinship, Midland
William Horan, Fort Worth
Earl Mayfield, San Antonio
Milton Neitsch, Jr., Victoria
1990
Frank Cuellar, Sr.
Dee Haven, Corpus Christi
Bob Lee
Miguel Martinez
1989
Gertrude Applebaum, Elkins Park
Rosemary Garbett, Houston
Macky Sellers
Albert Totah, Victoria
1988
Earl Abel, Sr.
H.M. “Bill” Bennett
Louis Hochman
Guy T. Jones
Jim L. Peterson, Mooreseville
1987
Fred W. Dollar
Carolyn Weldon Goodman
B. J. Kirby
Balous Miller, San Antonio
Method Snapka
1986
Bruce Allred
Jack Bell
W. Leroy Daniel
Matt Martinez, Sr.
Jack Sosebee
Samuel Tschirhart, Sr., Castroville
C.A. Sanford, Jr., Fort Worth
1985
Harry Akin
Guillermo Avila, El Paso
Robert R. Horan
Bill McCoy
A.G. Moncla
John E. Sohrweide
Andrew F. Stasio
1984
Roy Blankenship, DeKalb
Pete V. Cortez
Charles W. Horan, Jr.
Alfred Kahn
Lucas N. Postolos
Giles D. Spiller
1983
John S. Cace, Jr.
Mack Eplen
Leon Gillespie
Charles Goodnight
Carlo S. Messina
Lynon Owens
Victor J. Patrizi
1982
G. Jim Hasslocher, San Antonio
Charles W. Horan, Sr.
I. Tom Katz
Charles Langford
G. D. “Sonny” Look
Harry F. Porter
George W. Williams
1981
Patrick D. Moreland
W. Price, Jr.
1937 Founders
Victor Colias | Mr. and Mrs. Dave Crowder | T. C. Daniel | W. C. Dunton | V. A. Harrison | J. D. Houston | Sim T. Lake | R. C. Lawler | V. H. Osborn | Earl Smith
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.