Delaware restaurant industry Cornerstone Awards set Oct. 7
The Delaware Restaurant Association will host its 22nd Annual Restaurant Industry Cornerstone Awards at 6 p.m., Monday, Oct. 7, at the Lighthouse Cove Event Center in Dewey Beach. Each year, the DRA celebrates and honors the contributions of Delaware’s restaurant industry, and the ways restaurants enrich and serve communities as the true cornerstones of neighborhoods, the local economy and unlimited career opportunities for all.
Partners Lion Gardner, David Gonce, Tyler Townsend and Bob Suppies of Second Block Hospitality will be recognized as Restaurateurs of the Year, representing their Rehoboth Beach establishments Drift Seafood & Raw Bar, The Pines and Bodhi Kitchen.
Honoring its landmark location in Wilmington’s Little Italy for over 84 years, Mrs. Robino’s Restaurant, operated by the Robino and Minuti families, will receive the prestigious Cornerstone Award.
Industry Impact Awards will be presented to Matt Kern of One Coastal in Fenwick Island, Hank Rosenberg of Harrington Raceway & Casino, and Katie Kutler of Kaffé Karma in Wilmington, for their contributions to and continued impact on Delaware’s restaurant industry.
Restaurant owners, operators, vendors, elected officials and industry supporters will gather to toast to the resiliency, spirit and camaraderie of Delaware’s restaurant industry with fine food and cocktails, beer and wine from 30 stations, plus live music from Fun Size featuring Ed Shockley, all on tap for the DRA-led celebration. Attendance grows each year in celebration of Delaware’s restaurant industry; last year, more than 500 attended the event. This year’s after-party will be held immediately following the event at the new Grotto Pizza in Dewey Beach, in tribute to Jeff Gosnear, Grotto president and DRA board chair.
Highlighting the event will be recognition of the 2024 Cornerstone Award winners, including video tributes in each category, with remarks from honorees.
“We’re thrilled to honor these remarkable restaurateurs at this year’s Cornerstone Awards,” said Carrie Leishman, Delaware Restaurant Association president and CEO. “Their stories of resilience, passion, and dedication to hospitality and training the next generation reflect the heart of our industry. Each of our awardees will undoubtedly leave a long-lasting legacy among the communities in which they serve.”
This year’s Cornerstone Awards are supported by local communities and businesses, including event sponsors Sysco, Assured Partners, Delaware Alcoholic Beverage Wholesalers, Comcast Business, US Foods, Chesapeake Utilities, Dogfish Head, Tito’s, J. Ambrogi Foods, Ecolab, Diamond State Meats, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Orkin, Toast, The Starboard and Grotto Pizza.
