GKCRA Gilbert Robinson Awards Dinner

Each Fall, 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 different categories such as:

• Heart of the House Employee of the Year
• Allied Employee 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
• Chef of the Year
• Employee of the Year
• Corporate Director of the Year
• Industry Icon, Lifetime Achievement Award

The G/R Dinner is named after former Kansas City restaurant firm, Gilbert/Robinson. The Dinner celebrates a standard of excellence set by former Kansas City restaurant firm, Gilbert/Robinson. Founded in 1961, the company became a national leader in the industry by setting a standard of excellence aspired to by all restaurateurs.

Keynote Speaker: Craig Culver

Craig Culver's passion for the restaurant business began over 50 years ago when his parents bought their first restaurant. Inspired by his family's hospitality and food values, Craig opened the first Culver’s in Sauk City, Wisconsin, in 1984, featuring Butter Burgers and Fresh Frozen Custard. With the first franchise launched in 1990, Culver’s has since grown to over 970 locations across 26 states, employing 45,000+ team members. To hear more of Craig Culver’s Story register for our Gilbert Robinson.