The Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRA), celebrating its 80th Anniversary this year, announces its first awards gala, The Saucy Awards. The awards will recognize the San Francisco Bay Area restaurant and bar community for its excellence. The Saucy Awards, aka The Saucys, will benefit the GGRA’s non-profit, the Golden Gate Restaurant Association Scholarship & Education Foundation (GGRASF), as a part of its initiative to advance and support the hospitality industry in the Bay Area.
All hospitality industry professionals and concepts, not exclusive to GGRA members, within seven Bay Area counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Sonoma) can be nominated by their peers and can also nominate themselves. The Saucy Awards steering committee consists of six industry veterans & luminaries, including Willie L. Brown Jr. (Former Mayor, San Francisco), Marcy Coburn (Executive Director, CUESA), Joyce Goldstein (Chef/Author/Consultant), Virginia Miller (Food & Drink Editor), Leslie Sbrocco (Wine Educator/TV/Author), Patricia Unterman (Food Writer & Critic/Restaurant Owner), and more to be announced. They will narrow down the field to four nominees for each award.
Once nominees are selected, restaurant members of the GGRA and all nominees will be provided a single ballot to vote for the final winners. Voters will rank their choices 1, 2, 3, and 4 with 1 being their first choice. To ensure unbiased and fair results, OU & Co. LLP, an independent accounting firm will tally and process the votes. The winners will be announced at the first The Saucy Awards Gala on November 14 at Herbst Theater followed by a reception in the Green Room.
Categories include chefs, service, restaurants, and programs. A total of 18 awards will be open for nomination including: Chef of the Year, Rising Star Chef of the Year, Employee of the Year, Cocktail Program of the Year, Sustainable Restaurant or Bar of the Year, Exceptional Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year, and more. See below for the full list of award categories.
Complete List of Awards
Category: Chefs
- Chef of the Year
- Pastry Chef of the Year
- Rising Star Chef of the Year
Category: Service
- Restaurateur of the Year
- Beverage Professional of the
- Employee of the Year
- Manager of the Year
- Outstanding Industry Service
Category: Restaurants
- Exceptional Full Service Restaurant of the Year
- Exceptional Fast Casual Restaurant of the Year
- Exceptional Non Brick & Mortar Restaurant of the Year
Category: Programs
- Wine Program of the Year
- Cocktail Program of the Year presented by Campari America
- Beer Program of the Year
- Sustainable Restaurant or Bar of the Year
- Community Spirit of the Year
Additionally, the GGRA Board of Directors will present an individual who has committed his/her life’s work to the restaurant community with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The GGRA will also recognize Hospitality Industry Leaders for individuals who have spent 20-plus years in the restaurant/bar community and have made a positive impact and contribution to the industry.
