The San Diego County Chapter of the California Restaurant Association (CRA) hosted its 29th annual Gold Medallion Awards Banquet, San Diego’s most prestigious restaurant honors, on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at the Town & Country Resort Hotel. This industry awards gala is a highly celebrated peer-to-peer awards dinner in San Diego recognizing worthy and exceptional restaurants and industry partners in the region. It is an opportunity for members to acknowledge their fellow restaurateurs for their business practices, concepts, and achievements in more than 40 award categories.
“The Gold Medallion Awards are an opportunity for the industry to come together, share our successes, recognize excellence amongst our peers and raise funds vital to the future success of our industry,” said Mike Morton, Jr., President of the California Restaurant Association San Diego County Chapter. “This event is a chance to recognize local restaurateurs, purveyors and vendors who have distinguished themselves through superior business practices, demonstrated leadership and dedication to the restaurant community and hospitality industry as a whole.”
Fred Glick, from Phil’s BBQ was honored as Restaurateur of the Year for his skills as a restaurant operator and his dedication to the CRA San Diego County Chapter. Stephane Voitzwinkler Executive Chef at Bertrand at Mister A’s won the title of Chef of the Year. Also honored were Southern Wine and Spirits and Young’s Market Co. as the Large Service Provider’s of the Year, Challenge Dairy as the Medium Service Provider and New Leaf Biofuel as the Small Service Provider of the Year. These individuals and companies were honored for their excellence in their profession, their contributions to the hospitality industry, to the CRA San Diego County Chapter and to our community.
San Diego Mayor Bob Filner presented these awards.
The public also has the opportunity to vote for one award category, the Union Tribune People’s Choice Award. Votes were cast at eatoutsandiego.com, the new Chapter website, for the favorite San Diego County restaurant. This year, the Union Tribune People’s Choice Award went to CUCINA Urbana.
Dimitrious Papadopoulos from the Marine Room was honored as our outstanding Front of the House employee and Alphonso Torres of Brooklyn Girl took home the award for the exceptional Heart of the House employee.
Kennedy Irwin from Scripps Ranch High School was the proud recipient of our Student of the Year award presented to a student showing leadership, exemplary citizenship, how they excel in their class and their desire to work in the hospitality industry.
Over 1200 people attended the gala and auction, raising over $160,000, which the CRA San Diego County Chapter proudly contributes to the following:
- Foodservice equipment, supplies and mentoring for the Culinary Arts programs at Morse, San Diego, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Madison and Garfield High School
- Donations to San Diego State University Hospitality and Tourism Management Program.
- Educational seminars and classes to the local industry.
- Advocacy to protect and promote the restaurant industry through local legislation and cooperation with other local organizations.
Please see below for a complete list of categories and winners:
Chef of the Year
Stephane Voitzwinkler | Bertrand at Mister A’s
Restaurateur of the Year
Fred Glick | Phil’s BBQ
Large Associate Member of the Year
Southern Wine & Spirits
Young’s Market Co.
Medium Associate Member of the Year
Challenge Dairy
Small Associate Member of the Year
New Leaf Biofuel
Union Tribune People’s Choice Award
Cucina urbana
Best American
George’s Ocean Terrace
Prepkitchen
Best Modern American Fine Dining
Bertrand at Mr A’s
Bo Beau Kitchen & Bar
Best Asian
Taste of Thai
Best Breakfast | Brunch
Studio Diner
Best Mexican Dinner House
Bazaar Del Mundo Group
Café Coyote
Miguel’s Cocina
Best Sports Restaurant | Bar
TrueNorth Tavern
Best Neighborhood
Banker’s Hill Bar & Restaurant
Sbicca
Best New Restaurant
Brooklyn Girl
Vintana
Best Pacific Rim
Bali Hai
Best Pizza
Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza
Best Quick Service Chain
In-N-Out Burger
Rubio’s
Best Seafood Casual
The Brigantine
The Fish Market
Best Family | Casual Style Chain
Tender Greens
Best Brewery
Karl Strauss Brewing Co.
Stone Brewery Co.
Best Hotel Restaurant Fine Dining
Addison at The Grand Del Mar
JRDN at Tower 23
Nine Ten at The Grand Colonial Hotel
Best Casual Italian
Old Venice
The Venetian
Best Italian Fine Dining
CUCINA urbana
Best Hotel Restaurant Casual
Sally’s Seafood
The Grill at the Lodge at Torrey Pines
Best BBQ
Phil’s BBQ
Best Burger
Burger Lounge
Best Casino Restaurant
Barona Resort & Casino
Best Caterer
Urban Kitchen Catering
Best French
Bleu Boheme
Best Seafood Fine Dining
Top of the Market
Truluck’s Seafood, Steak & Crab House
Best Steakhouse Casual
Gaslamp | La Jolla Strip Club
Best Bakery | Café | Dessert
Bread & Cie Bakery | Cafe
Best Steakhouse Fine Dining
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Best Sushi | Japanese
Café Japengo
Best Live Music Venue
Belly Up Tavern
Best Pub | Wine Bar
The Waterfront Bar & Grill
Best Night Club Restaurant & Lounge
Altitude Sky Bar at the Marriott Gaslamp
Best Quick Service Casual Dining
Carnitas Snack Shack
Gold Medallion Venue Partner 2012
Town & Country Resort & Hotel
Gold Medallion Title Sponsor 2012
Sysco | US Foods
Best Ethnic
Royal India
Best Upscale Casual Style Chain
Davanti Enoteca
The Cheesecake Factory
