January 28, 2025 at the Albany Capital Center
Come out and join NYSRA in celebrating the best and brightest the NY restaurant scene has to offer at the 3rd Annual RISE Awards! This year we will kick off the event with a Legislative Reception to toast to New York’s restaurant industry with state legislators.
Ticket sales begin soon!
Know a restaurant or industry professional that deserves recognition? Nominate them today! The RISE Awards honor the following categories:
⭐Best Restaurant (Regional)
⭐Best Front of House Team
⭐Best Back of House Team
⭐MVP
⭐Most Innovative
⭐Community Impact
⭐Best Social Media
⭐Rising Star
⭐Caterer of the Year
⭐ProStart Educator of the Year
⭐Allied Member of the Year
⭐Hospitality Career Achievement Award
⭐Woman in Hospitality Award
Don’t wait – Nominations close on November 1st!
Network with industry peers and legislators, celebrate NY’s culinary excellence, and show your support for our industry.
Book your stay:
A special room block is available at the Renaissance Hotel Albany.
Rate: $199 (Book by January 10th)
⭐Best Restaurant (Regional) – The restaurant or establishment in this region that not only serves incredible food and drink but delivers a truly unique and distinctive dining experience. This restaurant consistently provides exceptional food and superlative service. An emphasis is placed on originality and personalized, attentive service.
⭐Best Front of House Team – The team that is always there: Shining brightly in the front of the house—greeting guests, clearing spaces, serving up the best drinks, or supporting the guests and staff. This award is for your bussers, hosts, bartenders, servers, barbacks, managers, or other front of house team who are the stand-out group in their position and our industry.
⭐Best Back of House Team – The stars behind the scenes: They have your back, making everything work seamlessly, bringing forth the best food, prepping early in the morning or late in the evening to make it all happen. This category includes chefs, expeditors, sous chefs, pastry chefs, and dishwasher teams in the back of the house who exemplify their position and our industry.
⭐MVP – The all-encompassing: An individual who has risen to the top and is the restaurant industry star we all wish to emulate.
⭐Most Innovative – This award is presented to a restaurateur or foodservice establishment that has applied a creative approach or new product, resulting in growth or transformation of their business.
⭐Community Impact – An individual or group who made a significant impact on their own community or in our restaurant community during the past year.
⭐Best Social Media – This award recognizes the best efforts of restaurants to build community engagement and trust, creatively share information, and expand their overall customer experience through social media.
⭐Rising Star – Honors an emerging leader in the hospitality industry whose work demonstrates ongoing exceptional growth and high potential for future impact.
⭐Caterer of the Year – An individual or business who exemplifies excellence in on-premises and/or off-premises catering. This nominee creates an environment of exceptional hospitality by providing a superior guest experience and creative culinary concepts.
