LAS VEGAS – Bar & Restaurant Expo is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2025 Industry Excellence Awards. Finalists in each category are celebrated for their dedication to the independent bar and restaurant industry. These individuals and businesses exemplify integrity, commitment to equality, sustainability, community and culture across the industry.
A panel of Johnson & Wales University experts selected the finalists, evaluating each submission based on several criteria.
Judges include:
- Panel Chair: Brian Warrener, Associate Professor & Director of the Center for Beverage Education & Innovation
- Jennifer Broderick, Professor
- Sarah Malik, Associate Professor
- Deana Marzocchi, Associate Professor
- Michael O’Malley, CPS Director of Academic Programs
Winners will be announced at the 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo on Tuesday, March 25 at 10:00 a.m.
2025 Industry Excellence Awards Finalists:
Bar of the Year
- Alpine Cocktail Bar, Hagerstown, Maryland
- Tell Your Friends, Scottsdale, Arizona
- The Round-Up Saloon and Dance Hall, Dallas, Texas
Bartender of the Year
- Ava Vitale, Crave, Rockford, Illinois
- Cesar Valdivia, JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, Aventura, Florida
- Livio Laura, EuroBar, Master Your Glass, Las Vegas, Nevada
Best Cocktail Program
- Tell Your Friends, Scottsdale, Arizona
- The Manor Bar, Montecito, California
- Panamericano Bar, Miami, Florida
Best Hospitality Training Program
- Hotel Vin, Autograph Collection, Grapevine, Texas
- Livio Laura, EuroBar, Master Your Glass, Las Vegas, Nevada
Chef of the Year
- Christopher Galarza, Forward Dining Solutions LLC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Guy Vaknin, City Roots Hospitality, New York, New York
- Nicole Brisson, Brezza & Bar Zazu, Las Vegas, Nevada
Community Leadership Award
- Nicole Brisson, Brezza & Bar Zazu, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Toups Family Meal, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Troy Guard, TAG Restaurant Group, Denver, Colorado and Houston, Texas
Design of the Year
- Le Basque, New York, New York
- Pinky’s by Vanderpump, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Wolf by Vanderpump, Las Vegas, Nevada
Restaurant of the Year
- Anixi, New York, New York
- Rosario’s ComidaMex and Bar, San Antonio, Texas
- Your 3rd Spot, Atlanta, Georgia
“This year, we saw a 23% increase in the number of entries, proving the value these awards provide for the industry,” said Tim McLucas, Market Leader, Hospitality Group at Questex. “We look forward to naming the winners at this year’s expo.”
Each finalist will be awarded two Expo Plus Passes to the 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo, as well as recognition on the Bar & Restaurant Expo website, social media, and newsletter before and during the expo. In addition, the winners in each category will receive a beautiful custom award, one Conference Pass to the 2026 Bar & Restaurant Expo, and additional media recognition on the website, social media, newsletters and more.
Those interested in attending or exhibiting at the 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo can visit www.barandrestaurantexpo.com and press can register here.
Bar & Restaurant Expo is a trade event and not open to the general public. Stay connected with Bar & Restaurant Expo on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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About Bar & Restaurant Expo
Bar & Restaurant Expo has continued to evolve and mirror the fast-paced, trend-setting nature of the hospitality industry. The event has been providing the specific tools that bar and restaurant owners, operators, and managers need to grow their businesses, compete, and succeed in this hyper-competitive and dynamic industry. The Bar & Restaurant Group is part of the Questex Travel & Hospitality Division and also produces World Tea News, World Tea Expo, World Tea Academy, as well as Bar & Restaurant Expo, Bar & Restaurant News, and Vibe Conference.
About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kirvin Doak Communications
BarAndRestaurantExpo@kirvindoak.com
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