29th Annual South Florida Hospitality and Tourism Awards were held on November 21 at the Hyatt Regency in Miami. These awards were presented by the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Advisory Board where the South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year as well as the Restaurant of the Year were announced.
The nominees for this year’s Tourism Professional of the Year were:
Shelly Fano, Director, Hospitality Management Program, Miami Dade College
Paul George, Resident Historian, History Miami Museum
Carol L. Henderson, Vice President Business Development, Brightline
Lynne Hernandez, South Florida Regional Director, Florida Restaurant Lodging Association
The nominees for Restaurant of the Year are Christy’s, Edge Steak & Bar and Valls Restaurant Group.
Congratulations to Dr. Paul George and Edge Steak & Bar for winning in their respective categories.
Proceeds of the awards luncheon will benefit work-based learning activities and scholarships for the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism
Al West
Andrew Wobensmith, Stephanie Figueroa, Andy Hoffman
Barbara Pomano, Raul Gonzalez, Antoine Nacib, Mark Amidon, Martin Rosado
Benton Launerts
Berta Coucet Miranda
Brandon & Benton Launerts
Carol Henderson (Brightline)
Chris Klaic, Christy’s Restaurant
Chris Rollins, Joe Docal
Cindy Brown, George Neary
Colleen Diaz, Wendy Lizardo (Hyatt Regency Miami)
Daniel Govadine, Diann Newman, Dean Rocco Angelo
Dean Rocco Angelo, Dr. Lupe Diaz 1 copy
Desiree & Luli Valls (The Valls Group)- Restaurant of the Year Winner