KANSAS CITY, Mo. (October 2, 2013) – The Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association (GKCRA) served up a night themed of “Leadership” at its annual Gilbert Robinson Leadership Awards & Dinner. The keynote speaker of the evening was national restaurant industry leader and icon, Phil Hickey, chairman of National Restaurant Association and CEO, chairman of Miller Alehouse Restaurants, former CEO of RARE Hospitality and former executive of Kansas City’s Gilbert Robinson Restaurants. Highlights of Hickey’s speech included decades of Kansas City restaurant history and its impact nationally through his career and the careers of his many mentors.

Emphasizing the theme of leadership within the restaurant industry, the annual event celebrated and recognized future leaders, present leaders and community leadership coming together to enhance the Kansas City dining experience. Following the keynote, the GKCRA announced 13 “Employee of the Year Awards” and 14 scholarship recipients, honoring the top restaurant industry leaders and future leaders committed to excellent service and quality dining. All “Employee of the Year Award” recipients were nominated by an employer, customer or colleague and work for a member company of the restaurant association. None of the recipients were notified of their award in advance