Each year in October, the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association honors the past, present and future of restaurant industry leadership at the Gilbert Robinson Leadership and Awards Dinner. Scholarships for area students pursuing a career in the hospitality industry are presented, along with awards for current hospitality leaders in 14 categories:
Heart of the House Employee of the Year
Steward of the Year
Media Person of the Year
Allied Employee of the Year
Maitre’D of the Year
Chef Apprentice of the Year
Up and Coming Chef of the Year
Server of the Year
Bartender of the Year
Manager of the Year
Hospitalitarian of the Year
Chef of the Year
Corporate Director of the Year
Industry Icon, Lifetime Achievement Award
The GR Dinner is named for former Kansas City restaurant firm, Gilbert-Robinson. Gilbert Robinson Dinner celebrates a standard of excellence set by former Kansas City restaurant firm, Gilbert-Robinson. Founded in 1961, company became a national leader in the industry by setting a standard of excellence aspired to by restaurateurs. The group created several legendary concepts in the Kansas City market including Houlihan’s, Bristol Seafood Grill, Fedora Café and Bar, Plaza III and Fred P. Ott’s.
