VRLTA announced that the finalists for the 2026 Ordinary Awards have been selected; recognizing outstanding businesses, organizations and professionals from across Virginia’s hospitality and tourism industry. Among them are several local businesses.
The Ordinary Awards celebrate the restaurants, lodging properties, attractions, destinations and individuals that create extraordinary experiences throughout the Commonwealth. This year’s program features 26 individual and organizational awards across four primary categories, culminating in a standalone celebration on Tuesday, September 15, at the Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa/Short Pump, where the winners will be recognized.
“Every year, the Ordinary Awards remind us just how much talent, creativity and dedication can be found throughout Virginia’s hospitality and tourism community,” said Eric Terry, President of VRLTA. “This year’s nominees represent an exceptional cross-section of our industry, from the frontline professionals who make every guest feel welcome to the businesses and organizations that help Virginia remain a world-class destination.”
Nominations are open to both members and non-members of the Association, while the nominees are judged by a panel of industry professionals. Eligible businesses included Virginia restaurants, food trucks, hotels, resorts, bed-and-breakfasts, campgrounds, breweries, wineries, distilleries, cideries, attractions, venues, destination marketing organizations, convention and visitors bureaus, and supplier hospitality businesses.
Attraction of the Year
Buckingham Branch Railroad, Louisa
Monticello Wine Trail, Charlottesville
Winter Wander at Boar’s Head Resort, Charlottesville
Bartender of the Year
Sara Albert, Ocean Eddies Seafood Restaurant
Tomeka Lyles, Holiday Inn Virginia Beach-Norfolk
Jose Salgado, Wren at the Watermark Hotel
Brewery of the Year
Bunnyman Brewing Company, Fairfax County
Intermission Beer Company, Henrico
Iron Pipe Alewerks, Orange
Southern Revere Cellars, Louisa
Campground of the Year
Kings Dominion KOA, Doswell
Montfair Resort Farm, Charlottesville
Small Country Campground, Louisa
Charlie Buser Award for Attraction Employee of the Year
Katelyn Coughlan, Louisa County Historical Society
Thomas Knighton, Small Country Campground
Mary Lauderdale, The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
Chef of the Year
Victoria Cosner, Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards
Santiago Lopez, The Majestic
Yo Matsuzaki, Wren at the Watermark Hotel
Ami Shimanek, Culinary Concepts AB
Distillery of the Year
Belmont Farm Distillery, Culpeper
Three Crosses Distillery, Powhatan
Virginia Foothills Distillery & Company, Barboursville
Hospitality Hero – Business
313 Franklin & Honey Hole, South Hill
Dover Hall, Manakin-Sabot
Last Call Animal Foundation, Pembroke
Hospitality Hero – Individual
Martha Davenport, Virginia Beach Restaurant Association
Ryan Kearney, Old House Vineyards
Stephanie Totty, Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport
John Zirkle Jr, Virginia Beach Hotel Association
Hotelier of the Year
Madison Eades, Danville Hotel Collection
Donna Marquez, Hyatt Regency Crystal City
Ravi Patel, SINA Hospitality
Jim Ricketts Award for DMO/CVB Employee of the Year
Theresa Earles, Suffolk Tourism
Cora Gnegy, Giles County Tourism
Nicole Warner, Culpeper Tourism and Town Economic Development
Jim Wordsworth Award for Restaurateur of the Year
David Nicholas, Alexandria Restaurant Partners
Mark Litz, Massanutten Resort
Rosolino Taormina, Vito’s of Lake Anna/The Lounge/The Lion’s Den
Sarah White, Westover Taco
Lodging Employee of the Year
Sean Hackney, Omni Hotel Richmond
Holly Hoover, Boar’s Head Resort
Savannah Keller, Airlie Hotel
Lodging Manager of the Year
Valencia Norwood, Ocean Key Resort
Leidy Stinson, Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa
Kelsey Souther, Home2Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach Princess Anne
Lodging Property of the Year
Liberty Trust Hotel, Roanoke
Tributer Resort, Mineral
The Westin Richmond, Richmond
Restaurant Employee of the Year
Nikki Bohen, Campfire Grill – Massanutten Resort
Lloyd Post, The Salty Siren
Shawn Taitano, Catch 31 Fish House & Bar
Restaurant Manager of the Year
Robert Bishop, Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Brigid Dahill, Lost Dog Cafe
Eric Emerson, Chix on the Beach
Restaurant of the Year
Ada’s on the River, Alexandria
Barbeque Exchange and Exchange Cafe, Orange
King Cropp Kitchen, Danville
Rising Pineapple Award for Hospitality Student of the Year
Taylor Borden, Virginia State University
Caileigh Ross, Virginia Tech
Quin’Niah Woodford, Virginia Tech
Supplier of the Year
Agriberry Farm & CSA, Hanover County
Ecolab
Sanitary Linen Service
Virginia ProStart Teacher of the Year
Ronald Evans, Potomac Senior High School
Scott Horne, Isle of Wight County Schools
Winery of the Year
7 Lady Vineyards, Manakin-Sabot
Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard, Louisa
Wolf Gap Vineyard, Edinburg
The 2026 program also introduces two new honors: New Restaurant of the Year and New Lodging Property of the Year (open to qualifying businesses that began operating in 2025 or later). For the first time in the history of the Ordinary Awards, members of the public are helping select the winners of these two categories, giving guests and communities across Virginia a direct voice in recognizing the Commonwealth’s newest hospitality standouts.
“These finalists have earned the opportunity to be celebrated not only for what they have accomplished, but also for the example they set for Virginia’s hospitality and tourism industry,” said Eric Terry. “We look forward to bringing our industry together, recognizing their achievements and giving every finalist a moment in the spotlight.”
All finalists will be honored during the returning Stars of the Industry Reception next month, an exclusive gathering immediately preceding the main Ordinary Awards reception. Winners will then be revealed during the evening’s awards show.
