Of The Year Awards

Throughout the histories of the Minnesota Resort and Campground Association, the Minnesota Restaurant Association and the Minnesota Restaurant Association, members have taken time each year to recognize and celebrate the contributions of their peers.

​The "Of the Year" awards recognize businesses and individuals for exemplary performance and representation of the industry in any given year, and the following lists illustrate the rich and vibrant history of hospitality in Minnesota. 

Note that awards commenced at different points in each association's history and each did not make awards in all categories. Some awards were not given in 2014, 2018, 2019 or 2020, and no awards were made in 2021. A new awards program in under consideration.

Lodging | General Manager of the Year

• ​Rick Bertram  |  Minneapolis Marriott City Center, Minneapolis (2018)
• Doreen Nelson  |  GrandStay Hotel & Suites, Perham (2017)
• Sue Jung  |  Hampton Inn & Suites, Alexandria (2016)
• Perry Sloneker  |  Best Western Plus Chelsea Inn & Suites, Monticello (2015)
• John Luke  |  Minneapolis Hilton (2014)
• Jason Subbert  |  TPI Hospitality, Fairmont (2013)
• Mark Dunn  |  Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Welch (2012)
• Nancy Vaske  |  AmericInn Lodge & Suites, Worthington (2011)
• Robert Rivers  |  Millennium Hotel, Minneapolis (2010)
• David Brott  |  Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomington (2009)
• Bill Foussard  |  White Bear Country Inn, White Bear Lake (2008)
• Mike Woitas  |  Country Inn & Suites, Albert Lea (2007)
• Julie Fuller  |  Hampton Inn, Shoreview (2006)
• Jim Waldvogel  |  Crowne Plaza Northstar Minneapolis Hotel, Minneapolis (2005)​

Resorts and Campgrounds | Operator/s of the Year

• ​Henry & Norma Hoffman  |  ​Hoffman’s Oak Lake Campground, Kerrick (2019)
• Bryan & Sue Harris  |  ​Eagle Nest Lodge, Deer River (2018)
• Beth Schupp  |  ​Fair Hills Resort (2017)
• Harold & Rosemarie Kraft  |  ​Canary Beach Resort (2016)
• Dave Langhoff  |  ​Shady Rest Resort (2015)
• Tom Kavanaugh  |  ​Kavanaugh’s Sylvan Lake Resort (2014)
• Larry & Sheryl Johnson  |  ​Cedar Valley Resort (2013)
• Ron Rykken  |  ​Timber Bay Lodge & Houseboats (2012)
• Paul Bugbee  |  ​Bugbee Hive Resort, Paynesville (2011)
• Jim Benson  |  ​Grand View Lodge, Nisswa (2010)
• Chris Ruttger  |  ​Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge, Deerwood (2009)
• Wally Heise  |  ​South Isle Family Campground, Isle (2008)
• Dwight Droen  |  ​Viking Bay Resort, Miltona (2007)
• Mark Ronnei  |  ​Grand View Lodge, Nisswa (2006)
• Mayva Kottke  |  ​Don & Mayva’s Crow Wing Campground, Brainerd (2005)
• Dave Gravdahl  |  ​Breezy Point Resort, Pequot Lakes (2004)
• Greg Damlo  |  ​White Pines Resort, Park Rapids (2003)
• Butch Eggen  |  ​Nelson’s Resort, Crane Lake (2002)
• Lee Zaczkowski  |  ​Timberlane Lodge, Park Rapids (2001)
• John Kavanaugh  |  ​Kavanaugh’s Resort, Brainerd (2000)
• Bob Dickerson  |  ​Dickerson’s Lake Florida Resort, Spicer (1999)
• John Rykken  |  ​Timber Bay Lodge & Houseboats, Babbitt (1998)
• Hal Rime  |  ​Buckhorn on Caribou Lake, Marcell (1997)
• Dee Sullivan  |  ​Sullivan’s Resort & Campground, Brainerd (1996)
• Bruce Kerfoot  |  ​Gunflint Lodge, Grand Marais (1995)
• Gene Glader  |  ​Cascade Lodge, Grand Marais (1994)
• Andy Kroneberger  |  ​Indian Beach Resort, Spicer (1993)
• Jan Gladson  |  ​Whispering Waters Resort, Underwood (1992)
• Bill Peters  |  ​Peters Sunset Beach, Glenwood (1991)
• David Kaldahl  |  ​Fair Hills Resort, Detroit Lakes (1990)
• Joe “Mac” McGuire  |  ​McGuire’s Piney Ridge, Pine River (1989)
• Sherm Kavanaugh  |  ​Kavanaugh’s Resort, Brainerd (1988)
• Dave Tuttle  |  ​Bearskin Lodge, Grand Marais (1987)
• Mark Ludlow  |  ​Ludlow’s Island Resort, Lake Vermilion (1986)
• Roger Schwieters  |  ​Boyd Lodge, Crosslake (1985)
• John Arnold  |  ​Madden’s On Gull Lake, Brainerd (1984)
• Sue Leagjeld  |  ​Driftwood Family Resort, Pine River (1983)
• Fred Boos  |  ​Grand View Lodge, Brainerd (1982)
• Jack Ruttger  |  ​Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge, Deerwood (1981)

Restaurant and Foodservice | Restauranteur of the Year 

• JJ Haywood, Pizza Luce (2018)
• Ryan Burnet  |  ​Barrio Restaurant Group (2017)
• Luke Shimp  |  ​Red Cow (2016)
• Brent Frederick & Jacob Toledo  |  ​Jester Concepts (2015)
• Chef Scott Foster & Patrick Woodring  |  ​Nova Restaurant Group (2013)
• Tim Murray  |  ​Murray’s Restaurant (2012)
• Andy Borg and Michael J. Paulucci  |  ​Grandma’s Restaurant Company (2011)
• Kieran Folliard  |  ​Cara Irish Pubs (2010)
• David Burley, Luke Shimp & Stephanie Shimp  |  ​Blue Plate Restaurant Co. (2009)
• Larry D’Amico, Richard D’Amico, Paul Smith  |  ​D’Amico Partners (2008)
• Pasquale (Rocco) Preese  |  ​Davanni’s (2007)
• Barb Hunn  |  ​Key’s Café (2006)
• John Schiltz  |  ​Lake Elmo Inn (2005)

Lodging | Large Property of the Year (101+ rooms)

• The Inn on Lake Superior, Duluth (2020)
• The Saint Paul Hotel, St. Paul (2018)
• Grand Casino Hotel Mille Lacs, Onamia (2017)
• BEST WESTERN PREMIER Nicollet Inn, Burnsville (2016)
• The Marquette Hotel, Minneapolis (2015)
• Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Red Wing (2014)
• Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn, White Bear Lake (2013)
• The Westin Edina Galleria, Edina (2012)
• Holiday Inn, New Ulm (2011)
• Staybridge Suites Minneapolis-Bloomington, Bloomington (2010)
• Hilton Minneapolis, Minneapolis (2009)
• The Depot, Minneapolis (2008)
• Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior, Tofte (2007)
• Country Inn & Suites, Albert Lea (2006)

Small Property of the Year Award (100 Rooms or fewer)

• St. James Hotel, Red Wing (2020)
• Best Western Plus Chelsea Hotel, Monticello (2018)
• AmericInn Lodge & Suites, Thief River Falls (2017)
• University Inn, Minneapolis (2016)
• Best Western Premier The Lodge on Lake Detroit (2015)
• Czech Inn, Hayward (2014)
• South Pier Inn, Duluth (2013)
• Afton House Inn, Afton (2012)
• Water Street Inn, Stillwater (2011)
• Loken’s Sawmill Inn & Suites, Houston (2010)
• AmericInn Lodge & Suites, North Branch (2009)
• Waller House Inn, Little Falls (2008)
• AmericInn, Mt. Iron (2007)
• AmericInn, Madelia (2006)

Restaurant of the Year

• ​St. Paul Grill (2020)
• Joan’s in the Park (2018)
• Spoon and Stable (2017)
• A.T. The Black & White (2016)
• The Freehouse (2015)
• Lake Elmo Inn (2014)
• Brasa (2013)
• Hubbell House (2012)
• Pizza Lucé (2011)
• CRAVE! (2010)
• Manny’s Steakhouse (2009)
• The Four Inns (2008)
• Mancini’s Char House & Lounge (2007) 

Lodging Allied Vendor of the Year

• Cushman and Wakefield (2018)
• Viking Trophies (2017)
• Furniture Industries, Inc. (2016)
• A&M Business Interior Services (2015)
• Clear Sight & Sound (2014)
• Procter & Gamble Professional (2013)
• AAA (2012)
• IDeaS Revenue Solutions (2011)
• Yost & Baill, LLC (2010)
• Stahl Construction (2009)
• Inn Fashion (2008)
• DesignWise (2007)
• USA Today (2006)
• Superior McGarvey (2005)

 Restaurant and Foodservice Allied Vendor of the Year

• ​Swanson Meats (2020)
• Heartland Payment Systems (2018)
• The Coca-Cola Company (2017)
• American Fish  Seafood, Inc. (2016)
• Jackson Lewis (2015)
• US Foods (2014)
• Summit Brewing Company (2013)
• Premier Restaurant Equipment Company (2012)
• Farmers Insurance (2011)
• Ecolab (2010)
• AmeriPride Linen & Apparel Services (2009)
• Sysco Minnesota (2008)
• Hockenbergs Equipment & Supply Co. (2007)
• Upper Lakes Foods (2006)
• Appert’s Foodservice (2005)

Lodging Employee Awards

Rising Star

• ​Malia Rowell  |  South Pier Inn, Duluth (2020)
• Carrie Mabery  |  Loews Minneapolis Hotel, Minneapolis (2018)
• Carlos Quizhpi  |  Minneapolis Marriott Southwest, Minnetonka (2017)
• Matthew Galaviz Reed  |  W Minneapolis-The Foshay and Le Meridien Chambers (2016)

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Head of House

• ​George Glover  |  Minneapolis Marriott City Center, Minneapolis (2020)
• Sam Runge  |  Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, Minneapolis (2018)
• Scott Bartel  |  Minneapolis Marriott Southwest, Minnetonka (2017)
• Suzanne Sukalski  |  Hampton Inn, Fairmont (2016)

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Heart of House

• ​Nimo Saed  |  Minneapolis Marriott Southwest, Minnetonka (2020)
• Namgyal Dolma  |  Minneapolis Marriott City Center, Minneapolis (2018)
• Samson Desta  |  Hyatt Regency Minneapolis (2017)
• Jim Jarzyna  |  Minneapolis Marriott Southwest, Minnetonka (2016)

Restaurant and Foodservice Community Involvement Awards

Sustainability Award

• Morgan’s Farm to Table (2018)
• Greenfield Natural Kitchen (2016)
• Highland Grill (2015)

Neighbor Award

• Grandma’s Restaurant Company (2018)
• Pub 500 (2017)
• Bites Grill  Bar (2016)

Community Award (Sustainability and Neighbor Awards combined for 2020)

• Dave Garvey, Grand Casino Hinckley (2020)

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Legislative Advocate of the Year

• Peter Mihajlov  |  Parasole Restaurant Holdings (2017)
• Lina Goh  |  Zen Box Izakaya (2016)
• Molly Broder  |  Broders' Pasta Bar (2015)
• Government Affairs Team  |  Buffalo Wild Wings  (2014)
• Dave Baker  |  The Oaks at Eagle Creek (2013)
• Jill Skogheim  |  5-8 Restaurants (2012)
• R. Steven Watson, CCM  |  Mendakota Country Club (2011)
• Scott Winer  |  Champp’s (2010)
• Brian Daugherty  |  Grandma’s Restaurant Co. (2009)