A highlight of the Bar & Restaurant Expo is the presentation of the annual Industry Excellence Awards, a recognition of the nation’s top independent restaurants and bars.  

 

This year’s winners are: 

 

Bar of the Year: Tell Your Friends; Scottsdale, AZ 

Bartender of the Year: Ava Vitale, Crave; Rockford, IL 

Best Cocktail Program: The Manor Bar; Montecito, CA 

Best Hospitality Training Program: Livio Lauro, EuroBar, Master Your Glass; Las Vegas, NV 

Chef of the Year: Guy Vaknin, City Roots Hospitality; New York City 

Community Leadership Award: Toups Family Meal; New Orleans, LA 

Design of the Year: Le Basque; New York City 

Restaurant of the Year: Anixi; New York City 

The winners were selected by a panel of industry experts from Johnson & Wales University. Applicants were evaluated on the basis of integrity, commitment to equality, sustainability, community, and culture.  

As Managing Editor for IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, Romeo is responsible for generating the group's news and feature content. He brings more than 40 years of experience in covering restaurants to the position.