 DEWEY BEACH, Del.- Recognizing and celebrating the nearly 2-thousand restaurant owners and the many restaurant workers in Delaware. Monday is the annual Restaurant Industry Cornerstone Awards, hosted by the Delaware Restaurant Association.
One person getting honored Monday evening, Scott Kammerer with SoDel Concepts. He volunteered to be chairman of the Delaware Restaurant Association during one of the most trying times.
"It's my responsibility to step up for the little guys, for the small restaurants, for the people that might not have the lobbying power and the ability to do it. To me it was an honor and one of the greatest honors of my life to give back to the restaurant industry that has given so much to me," said Kammerer.
A difficult job, but one that helped many restaurants stay afloat during the shut down.
"Restaurants are part of our everyday lives. Town halls where people come together to celebrate, to mourn, to do business, to get together with family friends and I think when that was stripped away because of COVID people really missed that opportunity to dine out in their favorite neighborhood restaurant," said Carrie Leishman, president of the Delaware Restaurant Association.
One of the newer categories at the event is the Restaurant Industry Rising Stars. Corporate Pastry Chef at SoDel Concepts, Dru Tevis, is one of those stars.
"I make sure that the desserts are on par to the food that their creating and make sure after people have all this savory food that the dessert holds up that high level that they've established already," said Tevis.
Overcoming a trying time, many restaurants across the country are experiencing a labor shortage. But local employees say they re just thankful to be open, and celebrate with other members of the industry.
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