RESTAURANT AWARDS

​Recognizing Outstanding Community Service and Determination

Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association honored four state finalists for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) Restaurant Awards during our Convention this past September. State finalists from across the U.S. competed for the top three national awards and a chance to win $10,000 to continue their charitable works. Applications for the 2019 awards are open through November 19, 2018 at ChooseRestaurants.org. 

NRAEF created the Restaurant Neighbor Award​ with founding partner American Express to highlight the positive contributions restaurants make in their local neighborhoods each and every day. The Faces of Diversity American Dream Award honors individuals from a diverse background who, through hard work and determination, have realized their American dream.

Congratulations to the 2018 Restaurant Neighbor Award state winners!
  • Three Creeks Brewing, Sisters
    Cancer is a disease that touches nearly everyone, and the Three Creeks team is no exception. To support those affected by this disease, they launched a number of programs. They created a Chile beer and celebrated with a three-day event featuring a chili cook-off, games and the chance for people to taste the new beer. Three Creeks donated over $1000 in proceeds to The American Cancer Society. The event turned into the Three Creeks Brewing Company Fresh Hop Festival, which has proved to be so successful the 2016 and 2017 festivals generated $15,000 for lifesaving cancer research and local programs like Road to Recovery, Look Good Feel Better, and a 24-hour resource line. In addition to these programs, Three Creeks donates hundreds of cases of beer and thousands of dollars’ in gift cards to the Big Sister/Big Brother Foundation, Episcopal Church Art Show, Cascade Academy, Oregon Adaptive Sports, 3 River Counsel, and more.
 
  • Greg's Grill on the Deschutes, Bend
    In his first year as the general manager, Andreas Gregoriou wanted make a concerted effort to give back to the community. With confidence he could get the staff to get invested in benefitting local organizations, the restaurant tried a few different activities. Each month the restaurant chooses a local charity and donates a dollar per glass of wine or four per bottle from a wine selection to that cause. New this year, Greg’s Grill is organizing a Clam Chowder Cook Off with six other restaurants where the money raised through ticket sales will be donated to local food banks. The restaurant has had a great deal of success, averaging close to $400-500 a month in donations. Their primary focus has been local, veteran-affiliated charities, as well as food bank charities. Not only does the community greatly benefit from these activities, the staff get a rewarding experience supporting local organizations in need.
 
  • Skyland Pub, Troutdale
    As president of the local chamber of commerce, Stayce Blume sets the pace for her Skyland Pub team in being active in their community. To benefit Oregon veterans, the team holds an annual golf tournament that has raised more than $43,000 over five years. In 2017, they presented Forward Assist, an Oregon-based, volunteer-run organization that serves Oregon veterans, with a check for over $11,000. During the holidays, they hold an annual Giving Tree event, partnering with customers to buy gifts for 30-45 in-need children. Over eight years, the value of the gifts has been around $22,000.  For seven years, they have donated enough food to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Department run for Special Olympics to feed 750-850 police officers, volunteers and Special Olympics athletes. Every year, Skyland Pub matches customer donations to the local Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics. Some team members participate in the Plunge itself!

Congratulations to the 2018 Faces of Diversity Award state finalist!
  • Jessica Ritter, Ritter's House Made Foods, Salem
    Jessica started the Wild Pear Restaurant with her sister Cecelia over 18 years ago with little money and a lot of determination to build it into a local successful business employing an ethnically diverse staff that shares in their passion of great food and community. Jessica has lead a team of high school students in the ProStart program and has mentored several other aspiring young chefs. Being a mix of Vietnamese and Irish decent, Jessica and Cecilia live the example of promoting diversity in their work and community. While in their early 20’s, Jessica and her sister started with little to no start-up capital but showed through their passion, hard work and family values that by pulling together they could achieve their dreams. The Wild Pear Restaurant supports many local charities such as Family Building Blocks, the Union Gospel mission and others. The Ritters also volunteer their time to coach young staff members aspiring to learn the industry both in management and in the kitchen.

For information on how to apply for these awards, visit the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's website.
QUICK LINKS

- Hospitality Industry Awards
​- 2019 Hospitality Award Nomination Form 
​- Annual Convention
​- Restaurant Neighbor Awards
​- Industry Awards Archive
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Three Creeks Brewing
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Jessica Ritter, Ritter's House Made Foods