CATEGORIES

FOOD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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