DIRONA HONORS RENOWNED RESTAURATEUR, DREW NIEPORENT AT ANNUAL FINE-DINING CELEBRATION
North America’s top culinary experts to attend September event in Las Vegas
New York- The Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) will proudly honor one of America’s most accomplished fine-dining restaurateurs, Drew Nieporent, during its 15th Annual Grand Awards Gala at The Bellagio in Las Vegas, NV.
Nieporent, president of Myriad Restaurant Group, will receive DiRoNA’s Hall of Fame Award at the gala on Wednesday, September 7, 2005. The annual event is held to formally induct DiRoNA’s new Award-winning restaurants, and will conclude the organization’s four-day Annual Awards and Educational Conference.
DiRoNA’s Hall of Fame was established in 1993 with the induction of 14 members. Candidates qualify by having given at least 25 years of dedicated service and significant contribution to the distinguished dining industry as DiRoNA Award-winning restaurateurs.
Drew Nieporent has created some of the finest restaurants, including: Montrachet, Tribeca Grill, Pulse and Nobu in New York City; Nobu London; Rubicon in San Francisco; Lucca in Boca Raton, FL; and The Coach House in Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Myriad remains the only restaurant group to be awarded three coveted Grand Awards from Wine Spectator magazine for Rubicon, Montrachet and Tribeca Grill and is also the only restaurant group with a prized Michelin Star, for Nobu London.
Nieporent’s personal honors include the James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award (2000), DiRoNA’s Humanitarian Award (2000), and Restaurateur of the Year by Bon Appétit magazine (2000). He is Director of the American Institute of Wine, serves on the Board of Directors of Citymeals on Wheels and is an Honorary Chair on the City Harvest Food Council.
“DiRoNA’s Hall of Fame Award recognizes individuals who contribute to overall excellence in the restaurant and foodservice industry,” said Larry Work, Chairman of DiRoNA and President of Sam & Harry’s Management Company, which owns and operates two DiRoNA Award-winning restaurants — Sam & Harry’s and The Caucus Room — in Washington, DC. “Drew certainly fits that description, and we will gladly recognize his achievements at this year’s Annual Awards Conference.”
DiRoNA’s Annual Awards & Educational Conference 2005 will also feature a Welcome Luncheon with guest speaker Oscar Goodman, Mayor of Las Vegas and educational seminars moderated by such industry icons as Jim Doherty, Vice President of Lebhar-Friedman, (publisher of Nation’s Restaurant News) and Evan Goldstein, Vice President of Public Relations and Education for Allied Domecq Wines USA.
For further information about DiRoNA’s industry awards and conference updates, visit DiRoNA’s Web site at www.dirona.com, or contact Lisa Rand, Executive Director at (212) 297-2114.
Note to editor: Headshot and bio of Drew Nieporent available upon request.
# # #
About DiRoNA
DiRoNA was established in 1990 to promote the fine dining industry. This non-profit organization conducts independent restaurant inspections and offers the only fine dining guarantee in North America. The DiRoNA Award of Excellence is bestowed upon only the most distinguished fine dining establishments. To be eligible, restaurants must be in operation, under the same ownership, for a minimum of three years. The rigorous, anonymous, 75-point inspection process scrutinizes every aspect of the dining experience-food, wine, service, physical property and décor. To date, nearly 800 restaurants have received the DiRoNA Award.
Chef2Chef News Desk