Wichita wins big at state restaurant awards, can claim state’s Restaurateur of the Year
Two COVID-cautious years have passed since the Kansas Restaurant & Hospitality Association put on its Stars of The Industry awards banquet, but on Monday night, the event returned — and several Wichita restaurants, chefs and culinary professionals were recognized.
The awards ceremony returned to the Kansas Star Casino, and attendees enjoyed food from local restaurants then watched as awards were handed out in categories like Restaurateur of the Year, Chef of the Year and Hot New Concept.
In most categories, restaurants had to be members of KRHA to win. One category — Hot New Concept — is open to nonmembers as well.
Below is a list of the winners and some of the nominees:
Restaurateur of the Year
This award is given to a restaurant operator who is involved in the community and/or KRHA:
Winner: Alex Harb, Meddys — five Wichita locations: Harb, who in December 2021 opened his fifth Wichita Meddys in seven years, also is known for putting on fundraisers for victims of crimes and natural disasters.
Other nominees:
Janez Lomshek, Talk of the Town, Overland Park
Jay Ives, Blind Tiger, Topeka
Mike Thayer, Austin’s Bar & Grill, Independence
Hot New Concept
This award recognizes a restaurant concept that is a “forward-thinking brand at the leading edge of food service and positioned for growth.”
Winner: First Mile Kitchen, 2141 N. Bradley Fair Parkway: Nick Korbee and Amanda Luginbill opened this upscale eatery in Bradley Fair in January and added a sister restaurant, First Mile Cantine, in June.
Other nominees:
Urban Egg, Overland Park
FioRito, Wichita
Doma, Wichita
Buck Tui BBQ, Overland Park
Wandering Vine, Shawnee
Chef of the Year
This award recognizes a working chef who has “set new or consistent standards of excellence in the Kansas food scene.”
Winner: Carl Thorne-Thomsen, Story Restaurant, Prairie Village: The chef/owner at this popular Kansas City-area restaurant also has been a James Beard finalist more than once
Other nominees:
Carlos Sanchez, Rolling Hills Country Club, Wichita
Jeremy Wade, Napoli, Wichita
Patrick Shibley, Doo-Dah Diner, Wichita
Peter Moretti, Marriott, Wichita
Heart of the Industry
This award recognizes “a staff member who goes above and beyond to keep the restaurant or hotel running smoothly and exemplifies dependability, teamwork and dedication to the industry.”
Winners: Devin Slane, director of operations for local Doc Green’s restaurants, and Gale Cowan, a longtime server at Old Mill Tasty Shop in Wichita:
Other nominees:
David Thompson, Tutor’s Pizza, Wichita
Dwaine Hood, Bull Creek Distillery, Spring Hill
Hall of Fame
Winner: Bill Rowe, Blue Moon Caterers: Rowe is a longtime Wichita restaurateur who founded Willie C’s in 1985 and eventually bought Red Bean’s Bayou Grill. He’s been running Blue Moon Caterers since 2002.
Hotelier of the Year
Winner: Bill Michaud, Sleep Inn and Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Fort Scott and Atchison
Prostart Mentor of the Year
These nominees are people who help train high aspiring school chefs in Kansas through a program called ProStart.
Winner: Patrick Shibley, Doo-Dah Diner, Wichita
Other nominee: Ben George, Intrust Bank Arena
Prostart Teacher of the Year
This award honors a public school teacher in Kansas who offers courses for aspiring chefs.
Winner: Bill Loudermilk, Wichita East High School
