BLOOMINGTON DIAMOND SERVICE AWARDS RECOGNIZE HOSPITALITY'S FINEST

Bloomington, MN (May 16, 2022) – The Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted the 24th annual Diamond Service Awards on Sunday, May 15, 2022 at the DoubleTree Bloomington South. The gala event honored front-line service personnel from Bloomington’s hospitality industry, including employees from hotels, restaurants, retail, and attractions.

Diamond Service Awards were given to recipients in these categories:

Best Hospitality Administration: Tony Roscoe, Nickelodeon Universe

Best Guest Relations Personnel: Matt Burosh, Renaissance Bloomington Hotel

Best Restaurant Personnel: Cassy Junk, Cowboy Jack’s Southtown

TIE: Best Banquet/Catering Personnel: Cindy Lambert, Marriott Minneapolis Airport, and Bonnie Nagle, Crowne Plaza AiRE

Best Hotel Guest Services (Limited Service): Paris Magee, Hampton Inn Bloomington West

Best Hotel Guest Services (Full Service): LaTrice Abram, Embassy Suites Bloomington

Best Housekeeping Personnel (Limited Service): Liz Hawkins, Hilton Garden Inn Bloomington

Best Housekeeping Personnel (Full Service): Martha Leal, Sheraton Bloomington Hotel

Best Bartender: Stephanie Luoma, AC Hotel Bloomington

Best Hotel Restaurant Personnel: Ericka Campos, JW Marriott Minneapolis Mall of America

Best Bus/Dishwasher: Mohammed Iniath, Radisson Blu Mall of America

Best Food Production Personnel: Maria Gutierrez Barraza, DoubleTree Bloomington South

Best Transportation Personnel: Chandler Murray, Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport

Best Engineer/Maintenance Personnel: Ricardo Acosta, Hampton Inn Bloomington West

Best Retail Personnel: Arthur Tanksley, Great Wolf Lodge

In addition to the 18 Diamond Service Awards honorees, five individuals were inducted into the Hospitality Hall of Fame: Kathy Sarff (40 years of service) and Mick Elder (32 years of experience) from DoubleTree Bloomington South; Dawn Freid (42 years of service) and Barbara Phillips (37 years of service) from Sheraton Bloomington Hotel); and Tairie Starr (26 years of service) from Chapel of Love. The inductees were selected for their long tenure and notable service in the Bloomington hospitality industry.

The Spirit of Hospitality Award was presented to US Foods, a longtime supporter of the Diamond Service Awards. US Foods has made a large impact in Bloomington via charitable contributions, a scholarship program, and its sustainability initiative.

Other highlights of the evening included the Food Safety Awards, presented by Bloomington Mayor Tim Busse, and a performance by musical group Voices of Service. Guests also enjoyed sipping on the “South Loop Refresher,” created by Norm Kimball Jr., the winner of the 3rd annual Diamond Service Cocktail Challenge.

For more information about the Diamond Service Awards, visit http://www.bloomingtonmn.org/DiamondServiceAwards.

The Bloomington Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing organization for the city of Bloomington, Minnesota. Bloomington is located adjacent to Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. Bloomington is home to Mall of America, the nation’s largest retail and entertainment complex, and has the largest concentration of hotels in the state of Minnesota. For more information, visit bloomingtonmn.org