2022 TRA Award recipients
The Texas Restaurant Association has announced the nominees for its coveted Texas Restaurant Awards, highlighting some of the state’s most exciting leaders in hospitality. The anticipated celebration kicks off the Texas Restaurant Foundation’s (TRF) annual Lone Star Bash during the Texas Restaurant Show, which takes place July 7-10, 2023, at George R. Brown Convention Center, in Houston, Texas. Winners will be revealed during the 2023 Texas Restaurant Awards ceremony, Sunday, July 9, 2023.
RISING STAR AWARD : presented by Auto-Chlor
Panhandle Chapter: Rory Schepisi, The Drunken Oyster & Savor
Greater Dallas Chapter: Toby Archibald, Quarter Acre
Greater Dallas Chapter: Preston Nguyen, The Culinary Code
DEEP IN THE HEART AWARD: presented by Ben E. Keith
Waco: Alex Dang, Sugar Spice
Amarillo: Bobby & Danny Lee, The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery
Marble Falls: John & Belinda Kemper, Blue Bonnet Café
COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD: presented by JP Enterprises
Greater Houston Chapter: Chris Shepherd, Southern Smoke Foundation
Greater Dallas Chapter: Chad Houser, Café Momentum
San Antonio Chapter: Johnny Hernandez, Kitchen Campus
OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR OF THE YEAR: presented by Healthy Hospitality
Nominees are comprised of the 2023 TRA Chapter Restaurateur of the Year recipients:
Abilene Chapter: Amanda O'Connor, Cypress Street Station Restaurant
Brazos Valley Chapter: Mary Beckman, Admiral Catering
Coastal Bend Chapter: Glenn Mier, Black Sheep Bistro & The Angry Marlin
East Texas Chapter: Paul Bambrey, Jalapeño Tree
El Paso Chapter: Vanessa Duran, L&J Cafe
Galveston Chapter: Chef Megan Walker, Galveston Restaurant Group
Greater Austin Chapter: Travis Tober, Nickel City
Greater Dallas Chapter: Hiawatha Williams, Williams Chicken
Greater Houston Chapter: Janice Jucker, 3 Brothers Bakery
Lubbock Chapter: Carrie Britton, The Funky Door
Montgomery County Chapter: Jim Hallers, Citizens Grill
North Texas Chapter: Craig Bolles, Texas Roadhouse
Panhandle Chapter: Chef Jessica Higgins, Girasol Bakery & Cafe
Permian Basin Chapter: Amber Davis, Cork & Pig Tavern and Red Oak Kitchen
Rio Grande Valley Chapter: Russell Walker, Pasta Ventures
Sabine Area Chapter: Min Dai, Obana Restaurant Group
San Angelo Chapter: Yolanda Franco, Western Sky Steakhouse
San Antonio Chapter: Blanca Aldaco, Aldaco's Mexican Cuisine
Tarrant County Chapter: Marcus Paslay, From Scratch Hospitality
Waco Chapter: Phillip Helberg, Helberg Barbecue
In addition to these nominees, inductees and award winners have been announced in the following categories.
HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES
San Antonio: Capwell 'Cappy' Lawton, Cappy’s Restaurant
Permian Basin: Jerry Morales, Mulberry Cafe
EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM AWARD
Pat Sharpe, Executive Editor Texas Monthly
TEXAS RESTAURANT FOUNDATION CHEF TIM KELLY EDUCATOR EXCELLENCE
Cheryll Harris Emmett, J. Conrad High School
TEXAS RESTAURANT FOUNDATION INNOVATION IN EDUCATION AWARD
McAllen ISD STRIDES Program
TEXAS RESTAURANT FOUNDATION CARMELO MAURO SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY AWARD
Will be announced the night of the Awards.