FOOD
Outstanding Signature Dish
Outstanding Signature Dish
Honors the restaurant that quite simply does it best.
Considerations include:
- Innovative recipe
- Unique composition of quality ingredients
- Must include the restaurant name and dish name to be a valid nomination
- Must have been on the menu prior to Jan. 1, 2022
Innovative Fast Bites
Innovative Fast Bites
This award honors our fast-casual segment and the restaurant that constantly brings innovation to the table.
Considerations include:
- Innovative menu creation in the fast-casual segment
- Consistency of service
- Must include the restaurant name and product name to be a valid nomination
- Restaurant must have opened prior to January 1, 2021
World Class Dessert
World Class Dessert
This award honors the desserts around the state that are not simply afterthoughts, but could stand on their own.
Considerations include:
- Creative use of ingredients
- Presentation
- Elements to make it truly outstanding in the industry
- Must include the restaurant name and dish name to be a valid nomination
- Must have been on the menu prior to Jan. 1, 2022
Exceptional Happy Hour
Exceptional Happy Hour
This award honors happy hours around our state that are outstanding in food and beverage offerings.
Considerations include:
- Price
- Time of happy hour
- Food and drink offerings
- Must include the restaurant name to be a valid nomination.
- Must have been offered prior to Jan. 1, 2022
BEVERAGE
Top Arizona Brewery
Top Arizona Brewery
Raising a glass to the best Arizona brewery.
Considerations include:
- Brewed locally in the state of Arizona
- Open for service as an establishment or available for purchase at retail outlets
- Must include the restaurant name to be a valid nomination
- Must have opened prior to January 1, 2022
Superb Bar/Nightclub
Superb Bar/Nightclub
Honoring the best in entertainment, beverage and atmosphere around the state.
Considerations include:
- Atmosphere
- Food and Drink offerings
- Cover charge
- Entertainment
- Must include the restaurant name to be a valid nomination
- Must have opened prior to January 1, 2022
Best Beverage Program
Best Beverage Program
Recognizing a bar or restaurant that keeps their beverage menu edgy yet approachable embracing all things beverage – spirits, wine and beer.
Considerations include:
- Diversity of menu and price points
- Creatively crafted and presented cocktails
- Vast selection of beer
- Carefully crafted wine program
- Must include the restaurant name to be a valid nomination
- Must have opened prior to January 1, 2021
Most Creative Cocktails To-Go
Most Creative Cocktails To-Go
Cocktails to go may be, hands down, the coolest trend born out of necessity in 2020, and restaurants and their very talented bar teams had fun creating unique beverage pairings with to-go menus, curated cocktails in jars, pouches, and batched for the weekend.
Considerations include:
- Packaging
- Price point
- Offerings
- Portability
- Must include the restaurant name to be a valid nomination
- Must have opened prior to January 1, 2022
RESTAURANTS
Innovative Fine Dining Restaurant Concept
Innovative Fine Dining Restaurant Concept
Recognizes a restaurateur or restaurant group who demonstrates that they don’t follow fine dining trends; they define them, setting the bar in restaurant operations and the overall customer dining experience in this segment.
Considerations include:
- Hospitality and service
- Quality and creative menu items
- Ambiance
- Overall dining experience
- Must include the restaurant name to be a valid nomination
- Must have opened prior to January 1, 2022
Emerging Restaurant of the Year
Emerging Restaurant of the Year
Honors promising up-and-comers that demonstrate exemplary talent, showcase innovation and have already distinguished themselves as pacesetters in food, beverage and service.
Considerations include:
- Hospitality and professionalism
- Quality and creative menu items
- Ambiance
- Overall dining experience
- Must include the restaurant name to be a valid nomination
- Must have opened prior to January 1, 2022
Outstanding Local Restaurant Group
Outstanding Local Restaurant Group
Honors a culinary group with more than 3 locations with the same or different brands, demonstrating exceptional achievement and commitment to excellence in marketing, menu design and customer service.
Considerations include:
- Hospitality and professionalism
- Minimum of three Arizona locations (same brand or multiple concepts)
- Unique concept creation
- Exemplary food and beverage experience
- Must include the name and/or restaurant group name to be a valid nomination
- Must have opened prior to January 1, 2022
Uniquely Arizona
Uniquely Arizona
Home to some of the oldest documented food traditions, Arizona has a rich culinary past steeped in tradition. We are searching statewide for the restaurants that embrace not only the local food but are staples of the state.
Considerations include:
- Hospitality and professionalism
- Arizona born restaurant concept
- Unique menu items with Arizona flare
- Must include the restaurant name to be a valid nomination
- Must have opened prior to January 1, 2022
Technology Trailblazers
Technology Trailblazers
Restaurants had to act very fast to get their technology game going to support virtual menus, online ordering, contactless ordering and pickup, delivery platforms, group ordering as neighborhood’s looked to support restaurants, and even air purification technology. This was no small feat. While all restaurants navigated these waters, these nominees utilized technology in very unique ways to support customer experiences or embrace safety precautions.
Considerations include:
- Technology must improve or enhance the prior dining experience
- User functionality must be simple and easy to navigate
- High customer opt-in or adaptation rates
- Must include the restaurant name to be a valid nomination
- Must have opened prior to January 1, 2022
PEOPLE
Pandemic Good Neighbor
Pandemic Good Neighbor
Recognizes the outstanding community leadership and exceptional devotion to making a difference in our neighborhoods and community at large, while navigating the most traumatic two years in our industry during the ongoing pandemic.
Considerations include:
- Hospitality and professionalism
- Industry individual or restaurant group focused on giving back
- Must show impact of community efforts and service during pandemic
- Must include the name and/or restaurant group name to be a valid nomination
- Must have been in Arizona prior to October 4, 2018
Employee of the Year
Employee of the Year
Recognizes the front or back of house employee (non-managerial) that has set the gold standard for exemplary customer service and enhancing the overall dining experience.
Considerations include:
- Serves as a model employee and team player
- Displays outstanding service, knowledge, and excellent work ethic
- Contributes to a positive work environment
- Must include the name, restaurant name, AND reason for nomination to be a valid nomination
- Must have been employed at location prior to January 1, 2022
Manager of the Year
Manager of the Year
Recognizes the manager that has set the gold standard for exemplary customer service and leadership as well as enhancing the overall dining experience.
Considerations include:
- Displays outstanding service, knowledge, and excellent work ethic
- Demonstrates positive qualities as a leader
- Serves as an ambassador of the restaurant’s vision, mission, and definition of success
- Facilitates positive work environment and prioritizes professional workplace culture
- Must include the name, restaurant name, AND reason for nomination to be a valid nomination
Top Mixologist | Bartender
Top Mixologist | Bartender
Honoring an individual who is behind the bar or constantly raising the bar and setting trends in the beverage scene.
Considerations include:
- Innovation in drink creations
- Personable, hospitable and generous spirit
- Demonstrates beverage knowledge, technical and practical skills
- Must work regularly behind a bar – at least 2 shifts a week or more
- Must include the name and restaurant name to be a valid nomination
- Must have been employed at location prior to January 1, 2022
Top Chef
Top Chef
Pays tribute to outstanding culinary excellence, breaking new ground with an innovative menu while enhancing the dining experience.
Considerations include:
- Exemplary culinary talent
- Innovative menu creation
- Contributes to and facilitates a positive work environment
- Prioritizes a professional culture
- Must include the name and restaurant name to be a valid nomination
- Must have opened prior to January 1, 2022
Food Pioneer
Food Pioneer
Lifetime Achievement Award. Honors a lifetime of outstanding culinary excellence that continues to educate, inspire, entertain and foster a deeper understanding of the culinary culture in Arizona. Voted on by peers
Considerations include:
- Exemplary culinary talent
- Innovative menu creation
- Contributes to and facilitates a positive work environment
- Prioritizes a professional culture
- Must include the name and restaurant name to be a valid nomination