Maryland Restaurants Celebrate 'Stars of the Industry'

On a night that the restaurant industry of Maryland took a brief time out to celebrate its "stars of the industry," the annual gala at Martin's West in Baltimore was highlighted by the induction of the late Marcia Harris into the Maryland Hospitality Hall of Honor as the single honoree for 2008. Marcia and her boundless enthusiasm received one more heartfelt standing ovation as the announcement was made.

With a forward step toward the future that Marcia Harris would have expected, the 800 attendees were introduced to the new president CEO Paul Hartgen, who will leave the Nevada Restaurant Association and begin his tenure in Maryland June 30.

The awards were then announced with precision and fanfare as the evening showcased the stars of the entire state.

And the names in the envelopes were all met with applause and appreciation:

McCormick Cornerstone Award
Potomac Pizza
New York J&P Pizza, The Greene Turtle

The Brice & Shirley Phillips Lifetime Industry Achievement Award
John Paterakis Sr., H&S Bakery

Maryland Favorite New Restaurant
The Oceanaire Seafood Room

Favorite Bar & Tavern
Seacrets Bar & Grill, Ocean City

Favorite Restaurant
Da Mimmo Finest Italian Cuisine

Favorite Caterer
Martin's Caterers

Favorite Wine & Beverage Program
Jordan's Steakhouse

Pastry Chef of the Year
Duff Goldman, Charm CIty Cakes

Chef of the Year
Gary Leach. Ocean City Convention Center, Centerplate

MHEF ProStart Teacher of the Year
Elaine Heilman, Howard County Applications and Research Lab

MHEF ProStart Student of the Year/Mimmo Cricchio Memorial Scholarship
Ryan Meliker

Erikka Hayes Foundation Scholarship
David Cox

The Schellhase Award
Paula Kreuzburg

Marcia S. Harris Legacy Fund Scholarship Recipient
Edson Miranda, $5,000

Allied Member of the Year
Phillips Foods, Scott Miller

Restaurateur of the Year
Fred Rosenthal. Jasper's American Grille

You can find a set of photographs that can be downloaded in our FOTO GALLERY that you can reach by clicking HERE.

The foto: l-r Lynn Martins, Chairman RAM, Marshall Weston, Interim President CEO, RAM; Fred Rosenthal, Restaurateur of the Year; Paula Kreuzburg, The Schellhase Award; Paul Hartgen, President CEO, RAM starting June 30; Mary Ann and Mimmo Jr. Cricchio, Favorite Restaurant of the Year.