Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Ordinary Awards, celebrating the best of the hospitality and tourism industry!
The following 23 individuals and businesses were selected as winners from nearly 300 nominees:
Attraction of the Year
Virginia International Raceway
Bartender of the Year
Henry Hill, Hotel Roanoke
Campground of the Year
Small Country Campground (Louisa)
Charlie Buser Award for
Attraction Employee of the Year
Gayle Jessup White, Monticello
Chef of the Year
Leah Randolph, Dover Hall
Distillery of the Year
Axe Handle Distilling (Pennington Gap)
Golden Pineapple
Lifetime Achievement Award
Serafim “Sammy” Canavos
Hospitality Hero – Business
The Boar’s Head Resort (Charlottesville)
Hospitality Hero – Individual
Brian Wells, Hotel Roanoke
Hotel Employee of the Year
Frances Ojeda,
Courtyard Marriott North 37th
Hotel Manager of the Year
Roberto Perez, Residence Inn Ballston
Hotel of the Year
Westfields Marriott Washington Dullesr
Hotelier of the Year
Bruce Thompson, Gold Key PHR
Jim Ricketts Award for
DMO Employee of the Year
Katherine O’Donnell,
Richmond Region Tourism
Jim Wordsworth Award for
Restaurateur of the Year
David Saunders, The Texas Inn
Legislator of the Year Award
Virginia Senator Siobhan Dunnavant
Restaurant Employee of the Year
Victor Guzman, Silver Diner Reston
Restaurant Manager of the Year
Andrew Vacarella, Catch 31
Restaurant of the Year
The Wine Kitchen (Leesburg)
Rising Pineapple Award for
Hospitality Student of the Year
Zarah King, Virginia Tech
Supplier of the Year
Discover Richmond Tours
Supplier Employee of the Year
Daniel Rolander, Keany Produce
Winery of the Year
Loving Cup Vineyard & Winery
(North Garden)