Hawaii Hospitality - May/June 2013 - (Page 14)

2013 Employee ExcellenceAwards HRA Honors 6 for ‘Exceptional Service’ Three front-of-the-house workers and three who hold back-of-the-house positions at Hawaii restaurants recently received the Hawaii Restaurant Association’s (HRA) inaugural Employee Excellence Awards. The awards, presented during a luncheon at the Hawaii prince Hotel Waikiki on March 11, honor non-management restaurant employees who “exemplify outstanding performance and exceptional service,” according to the HRA. The six award recipients were selected from among 24 finalists. Front-of-the-house winners were John larson and Quinn Mears, both of Hula Grill Waikiki, and Rona Tam of Big City diner. Back-of-the-house winners were Ivan Aberilla of the Hawaii prince Hotel Waikiki, Monico Bacani of Gyotaku Japanese Restaurants and Mark Gedeon of Tiki’s Grill & Bar. “Our industry plays an important role in our state’s economy,” said Tom Jones, chair of the HRA and president of Gyotaku Japanese Restaurants. “More importantly, it provides a tremendous opportunity for those who believe that hard work pays off and who enjoy serving others.” Front-of-the-House Winners JOHn LaRSOn, HuLa GRiLL WaiKiKi Breakfast Head Wait & Breakfast Server Trainer Quinn MeaRS, HuLa GRiLL WaiKiKi Bartender ROna TaM, BiG CiTy DineR Quinn Mears, Hula Grill Waikiki John Larson, Hula Grill Waikiki Rona Tam, Big City Diner Server/Administrative Assistant Back-of-the-House Winners iVan aBeRiLLa, HaWaii PRinCe HOTeL WaiKiKi Lead Cook Banquets MOniCO BaCani, GyOTaKu JaPaneSe ReSTauRanT Dishwasher MaRK GeDeOn, TiKi’S GRiLL & BaR Line Cook Ivan Aberilla, Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki 14 Hawaii Hospitality ■ Monico Bacani, Gyotaku Japanese Restaurant May/June 2013 Mark Gedeon, Tiki’s Grill & Bar

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Hawaii Hospitality - May/June 2013

Hawaii's Female Chefs
War on Waste
Big Island Hookipa
Hawaii’s Little Touches
HRA Excellence Awards
Talk Story with George Szegeti
New Restaurants: Chef Chai and Liko Lehua Cafe
News Briefs
Association News

Hawaii Hospitality - May/June 2013