After receiving over 130 nominations for the second annual Hospitality Awards, the panel for the Long Beach Hospitality Alliance has selected 44 finalists.
Of the finalists, a winner for each of the ten categories in the Long Beach Hospitality Alliance Awards will be decided by the panel Sept. 19 at Hotel Maya.
Individual tickets or tables of 10 can be purchased online at www.lbhaawards.info.
The nominees for this year’s awards include:
Rising Star Award
- Wendy Renteria, Guest Services Supervisor, Residence Inn by Marriott LB Airport
- Jesel Ortloff, Owner, Alfredo’s Beach Club
- Jason Witzl, Chef/Owner, Ellie’s Long Beach
- Antonio Vuelvas, Lounge Runner, Hilton Long Beach
- Brenda Khieu, Front Desk Agent, Courtyard by Marriott Long Beach Airport
Unsung Hero Award
- Leticia Solorzano, Banquet Lead, Courtyard by Marriott Long Beach Airport
- Armando Lazaro, Line Cook, Hilton Long Beach
- Jose Cervantes, Banquet Houseman, Hotel Maya
- Aldo Perez, Cook, Hyatt Regency Long Beach
- Jairo Duran, Room Service Server, Hilton Long Beach
Beyond the Call of Duty
- Remando Bantican, Maintenance/Engineer, Hilton Long Beach
- Terry Sanchez, Houseperson, Hilton Long Beach
- Terrell Turner, Grab and Go Attendant, Hilton Long Beach
- Bret Kirk, Area Director of Security, Hyatt Regency Long Beach/Hyatt Centric The Pike
Lifetime Achievement
- Teresa Torres, Director of Housekeeping, Renaissance Long Beach
- Joseph Rooney, Restauranteur, The Crooked Duck
- Lou Andreoli, Sales Manager, Hyatt Regency Long Beach
- Michael O’Toole, Founder-Owner, Gondola Getaway
- Michael Dene, Restaurateur, Michael’s Restaurant Group
Community Spirit Award
- Kimberly Gross, Founder, Steelcraft
- Tammy Teague, Assistant General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Long Beach
- Courtney Mierez, Event Manager, Hyatt Centric The Pike
- Dave Ursini, Restaurateur, Naples Rib Co.
Outstanding Hotel of the Year
- Hotel Maya
- Renaissance Long Beach
- Holiday Inn Long Beach Airport
- Westin Long Beach
- Holiday Inn Downtown Long Beach
Outstanding Restaurant of the Year
- ROE
- Taste Wine-Beer-Kitchen
- The Attic
- Lasher’s Kitchen
- Lola’s Mexican Cuisine
Entrepreneur Award
- Arthur Gonzales, Chef-Owner, ROE and Panxa
- Michael Dene, Restauranteur, Michael’s Restaurant Group
- Michael O’Toole, Founder-Owner, Gondola Getaway
- Jesel Ortloff, Owner, Alfredo’s Beach Club
Special Event Award
- Dine Out Long Beach, Restaurant Week 2.0
- Steelcraft
- Dine LBC
- Alfredo’s Beach Club
Housekeeping Award
- Gloria Jimenez, Hilton Long Beach
- Jocelyn Sosa, Renaissance Long Beach
- Francisca Melena, Renaissance Long Beach