*Nominations have closed for the 2023 Industry Excellence Awards. Look for future announcements on the finalists!
Nominations are now open for the second annual Industry Excellence Awards, presented by Bar & Restaurant Expo, which celebrate and support the individuals who make the independent bar and restaurant industry great. These awards honor leaders and teams for their talent, integrity and commitment to equality, sustainability, community, and culture across the industry.
Nominations will be open through Jan. 27, 2023, and winners will be announced at the 2023 Bar & Restaurant Expo on March 29, 2023. Nominations can be made at breawards.awardsplatform.com.
2023 Nomination Categories Include:
Individual Award Nominations:
Bartender of the Year: This award is given to a bartender of exemplary performance, skill and dedication—both behind the bar and beyond it. This person has worked tirelessly to improve their bar program, bar culture, guest experience and the industry at large, serving as a positive example for other beverage professionals.
Chef of the Year: This individual sets high personal and professional standards for chefs across the industry. Chef of the Year will be awarded to someone who has dedicated themselves to culinary excellence, as well as sustainable, ethical practices and inclusive culture.
Community Leadership Award: This award is open to anyone in F&B who has demonstrated outstanding contributions and dedication to bettering their local community.
Venue Award Nominations:
Bar of the Year: Bar of the Year, awarded to a venue whose primary offering is beverage, has a unique identity and has established itself as a leader within the category. This award is given to an establishment that consistently demonstrates exceptional hospitality, creativity, training, culture and service.
Restaurant of the Year: The Restaurant of the Year has established itself as a leader in the community and has made a significant impact within the industry. This venue boasts a unique atmosphere, thoughtful F&B offerings, and a training program.
LGBTQIA+ Venue of The Year: This bar, whose primary offering is beverage, consistently delivers exceptional hospitality, creativity, and service, while championing the LGBTQIA+ community. The LGBTQIA+ Bar of the Year has a demonstrated history of supporting the queer community.
Best Hospitality Training Program: This award is given to a restaurant or bar that has prioritized hospitality and guest experience by investing in a robust onboarding and continuing education program that yields results and consistently demonstrates exceptional hospitality, creativity, culture, and service.
Bar & Restaurant has compiled separate judging panels of experts for each category, who will evaluate each submission based on several criteria to determine finalists, and ultimately the winner in each award category.
Each finalist will be awarded two Expo + Party Passes to the 2023 Bar & Restaurant Expo, as well as recognition on the Bar & Restaurant website, social media, and newsletter before and during the expo. In addition, the winners in each category will receive a beautiful custom award, one VIP ticket to the 2024 Bar & Restaurant Expo and additional media recognition on the website, social media, newsletters and more.
Plan to Attend or Participate in Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 27-29, 2023
To learn about the latest trends, issues and hot topics, and to experience and taste the best products within the bar, restaurant and hospitality industry, plan to attend Bar & Restaurant Expo, March 27-29, 2023 in Las Vegas. Visit BarandRestaurantExpo.com.
To book your sponsorship or exhibit space at Bar & Restaurant Expo, contact:
Veronica Gonnello (for companies A to G) e: [email protected] p: 212-895-8244
Tim Schultz (for companies H to Q) e: [email protected] p: 917-258-8589
Fadi Alsayegh (for companies R to Z) e: [email protected] p: 917-258-5174
Also, be sure to follow Bar & Restaurant on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest industry news and trends.