Good Morning ORA! Another late morning Annual Meeting was enjoyed by the members of the Omaha Restaurant Association. An interactive Mimosa bar, Coffee bar and Bloody Mary bar greeted the guests at Cascio’s Restaurant on 10th Street. A special lunch of delicious tenderloin skewers and chicken parmesan was served to the guests and new members of the ORA. The 2024 Board of Directors was installed for the upcoming year. Recognition was given during this event to outstanding leaders in our industry by presenting the Restaurateur of the Year and the Purveyor of the Year awards which are voted on by their peers . The Harold Norman Award of Excellence is also awarded to an outstanding member for being an industry leader in service. The recipient of this award can be any hourly employee or manager. (See images below) The event this year took place on Sunday, January 28th, 2024
1988 - 2024 Award Recipients
Restauratuer of the Year
1988 ~ Jack Kawa
1989 ~ Mac Thompson
1990 ~ Rick Fox
1991 ~ Linda Anania
1992 ~ Ron Samuelson
1993 ~ David Hayes
1994 ~ John Chisholm
1995 ~ Bill McKenna
1996 ~ R. Tim Peffer
1997 ~ Mark Hoch
1998 ~ Denis Hall
1999 ~ Matt Warren
2000 ~ Brian McGee
2001 ~ Sally Kawa
2002 ~ Vince Fletcher
2003 ~ Ann Mellen
2004 ~ Nicole Jesse
2005 ~ Chuck Caniglia
2006 ~ Cedric Fichepain
2007 ~ Katie O’Connor
2008 ~ Tony Fucinaro
2009 ~ Cory Guyer
2010 ~ John Wade
2011 ~ Yves Menard
2012 ~ Greg Lindberg and Don & Marie Losole
2013 ~ Brad Marr
2014 ~ Glenn Wheeler
2015 ~ Jared Clarke
2016 ~ Jennifer Coco
2017 ~ Darwin Hanssen
2018 ~ Dave Mainelli
2019 ~ Greg Cutchall
2020 ~ Mitch Tempus
2021 ~ Bob & Amy Freshman
2022 ~ Alfie Cascio
2023 ~ Raechel & Zach Van Buskirk
Purveyer of the Year
1988 ~ Nebraska Distributing
1989 ~ Robert’s Dairy
1990 ~ Pegler/Sysco
1991 ~ K-B Foods Inc.
1992 ~ Ecolab, Inc.
1993 ~ Miller Brands
1994 ~ Goodwin-Tucker
1995 ~ Midwest Food Distributing
1996 ~ United Distillers Products
1997 ~ Swisher of Omaha
1998 ~ Absolutely Fresh Seafood Co.
1999 ~ The Pepsi Bottling Group
2000 ~ Finocchairo Wine Co.
2001 ~ Lawless Distributing Co.
2002 ~ Nebraska Wine & Spirits
2003 ~ Aksarben Fixture & Supply
2004 ~ HHC Sales
2005 ~ Heartland Payment Systems
2006 ~ MUD
2007 ~ Con Agra
2008 ~ US Foodservice
2009 ~ Greenberg Fruit Co.
2010 ~ Sysco Lincoln, Inc.
2011 ~ RNDC Falcon Division
2012 ~ Rotella’s Italian Bakery
2013 ~ Omaha Steaks
2014 ~ Quality Brands of Omaha
2015 ~ Reinhart Foodservice
2016 ~ Loffredo Fresh Produce Co
2017 ~ Southern Glazers
2018 ~H. Olafsson International Specialty Foods
2019 ~ Spin Linen
2020 ~ TriMark Hockenberg
2021 ~ Chesterman Coca-Cola
2022 ~ Glenn Valley Foods
2023 ~ Johnson Brothers of NE.
Harold Norman
Excellence Award
(Employee of the Year)
2012 ~ Matt Warren
2013 ~ Danielle Emsick
2014 ~ Katie Vap
2015 ~ Kevin Caniglia
2016 ~ Brian Young
2017 ~ Bobby Mekiney
2018 ~ Pedro “Pete” Garcia
2019 ~ Linda Faye Austin
2020 ~ Zac Triemert
2021 ~ Danny Dominquez
2022 ~ Dave Warren
2023 ~ Jesus Garibay