La Casa Pizzaria (Omaha), Chances “R” Restaurant (York), and Dean’s Foods/Land O’ Lakes received the Nebraska Restaurant Association Hospitality awards at the association’s annual banquet, Taste of Nebraska. This year’s event was held Monday, April 28th at the Omaha Hilton Downtown. Winners of the award are selected for the contributions they make to both the hospitality industry and the communities in which they do business. Nicole Jesse of La Casa Pizzaria accepted the 2013 Eastern Nebraska Hospitality Award and Tom Vanous of Chances “R” Restaurant received the Greater Nebraska Hospitality Award. Allied Member of the Year was presented to Randy Stoppel of Dean’s Foods/Land O’ Lakes.

The 2013 Nebraska Restaurant Neighbor Awards were also presented during the event which had a “Kentucky Derby” theme. Hillis & Co added the finishing touches to the evening that included a “Derby Hat” parade, top shelf bourbon tasting, and Derby menu. HuHot Mongolian Grill, daVinci’s, The Egg & I Restaurants, and Lazlo’s, Inc. earned the 2013 Nebraska Restaurant Neighbor Awards.

The Nebraska Restaurant Association would like to thank special guest and keynote speaker, Shawn Eichorst, UNL Athletic Director,  and the many sponsors and guests that made the 25th annual Taste of Nebraska another success.  For more information about the Nebraska Restaurant Association, please call (402) 488-3999 or visit www.nebraska-dining.org.