Guests Set Sail on a Mediterranean Escape with the Restaurant Association of Maryland at the 2006 Hospitality Industry Awards Gala

By Phil Kirby

 

Baltimore – Nearly 800 restaurateurs and Hospitality Industry professionals came together to enjoy a spectacular evening celebrating the individuals and companies who lead the way in 2005.  When guests arrived to the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, they were transported onto a Mediterranean Cruise and welcomed to the Port of Call Cocktail Reception featuring regional delicacies from Spain, France, Italy and Greece.  With 13 restaurants providing the fare, guest enjoyed everything from traditional tapas provided by La Tasca, to Aldo’s Tenderloin Bruschetta with Gorgonzola and Arugula.  Capping off the cocktail reception was the Famous Raw Bar, courtesy of The Classic Catering People whose chief proprietor, Eddie Dopkin took top honors at the evening’s awards ceremony, being named the 2005 Restaurateur of the Year. 

 

Before the Awards Ceremony began, guests caught up with one another over a glass of wine or a signature Ketel One Martini from the striking bar constructed entirely out of carved ice.  Even honored guest, Miss USA 2005 Chelsea Cooley, made time to pose for a shot with the working sculpture and the talented individuals who mixed the concoctions through the night.  Once everyone had made it to their seats, the USS-RAM sounded its horn, signaling the beginning of the ceremony.  President and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM), Marcia S. Harris, welcomed everyone aboard and commenced the doling of honors to leaders of the Hospitality Industry, including the McCormick Cornerstone Award, Allied Member of the Year and the Schellhase Award, a special honor given out only in certain cases when the Awards Committee feels a certain individual or company’s work meets the highest level of standards set by RAM icon, the late Otto. E. Schellhase.  For a complete list of honorees and award recipients, please see below. 

 

With the conclusion of the awards presentation, came a Five-Star three course Mediterranean inspired meal fashioned by Marriott Executive Chef, Tim Mullens and overseen by Executive Sous Chef, Melinda Knox.  The spectacular meal was finished with a choice of desserts and a rousing Live Auction with Guest Auctioneer, Petra Compel.  After the final gavel was dropped, the Ship’s Band, Spectrum took stage and played to a packed dance floor throughout the night.  If guests weren’t bit by the dancing bug, they may have gotten the itch to hit the International Waters Casino.  Guests had the chance to network and let loose at the same time around a Craps Table or Roulette Wheel, and over a hand of Texas Hold ‘Em or Blackjack.  Proceeds from the Casino and the Duty Free Shop (Silent Auction and Ice Jewels Jewelry) benefited the Maryland Hospitality Education Foundation. 

 

If you couldn’t make it out to this year’s Gala, you missed out on the biggest night for the Maryland Hospitality Industry.  It’s a good thing this event continues to get better with every passing year.  Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for information for the 53rd Annual Hospitality Industry Awards Gala to be held next year.

 

 

 

 

 

Honorees and Award Recipients:

 

Hall of Honor Inductees:

Hearn Kirkwood – Peter Gilbert

The Kings Contrivance

CHIAPPARELLI’S Restaurant

 

 

ProStart Student of the Year:

Lei Cristine Sp Garcia

River Hill High School – Howard County Applied Research Laboratory

 

ProStart Teacher of the Year:

Barbara Hughes

High Point High School

 

 

McCormick Cornerstone Award:

The Beall Family - Ledo Pizza System, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

The Schellhase Award:

Rick & Jan Pundzak – Carey Sales & Services, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Diner’s Choice Award Winners:

Winner:  Greystone Grill – Ellicott City

1st Runner Up:  The Big Fish Grille Steak & Fish House - Crofton

2nd Runner Up:  Miss Shirley’s Café - Baltimore

 

 

Additional Diner’s Choice Award Finalists:

Black Market Bistro – Garrett Park

Comus Inn at Sugarloaf Mountain – Dickerson

Metropolitan – Annapolis

Plantation House Bar & Grille - Berlin

TÍR NA NÓG Irish Bar & Grill – Baltimore

 

Allied Member of the Year:

Acme Paper & Supply Company, Inc.

 

Additional Allied Member of the Year Finalists:

Feesers, Inc.

Foodservice Monthly

MICROS Mid-Atlantic Region

U.S. Foodservice

 

 

Restaurateur of the Year:

Edward “Eddie” L. Dopkin – Alonso’s/Loco Hombre/Miss Shirley’s Café

 

Additianal Restaurateur of the Year Finalists:

The Edelman Family – Bay N Surf Seafood Restaurant, Established 1965

Pam Felix, Alan Cohen, Keith Goldman & Robert Phillips – California Tortilla

Jim Hance – Gentleman Jim’s & The Carriage House Inn

James King – Kaufmann’s Tavern