Conference Recognizes Individuals, Restaurants for Exemplary Leadership Contributions

COLUMBUS, Ohio (September 21, 2017) – Cameron Mitchell Restaurants (CMR) recently recognized nine managers and two restaurants for their outstanding performance in 2017. The awards were presented at the company’s annual Leadership Conference, which was held earlier this month in Columbus, Ohio.

“I am beyond proud of these leaders who uphold the company’s tradition of great people delivering genuine hospitality,” said David Miller, CMR president and chief operating officer. “Our associates are truly the foundation of our company. These achievements are testaments to the extraordinary talent and commitment these award recipients possess. Our annual awards are just one way we highlight the accomplishments of our dedicated associates.”

Awards were presented to the Cameron Mitchell Restaurants specialty concepts and the Ocean Prime brand.

2017 Cameron Mitchell Restaurants Specialty Awards

Restaurant of the Year: Cap City Fine Diner & Bar in Gahanna, Ohio, is this year’s recipient of the Restaurant of the Year award. The restaurant is led by General Manager Jeremy Hughes of Columbus, Ohio, and Executive Chef Matt Paisley of Hilliard, Ohio. Cap City is a classic American diner that puts a modern twist on recognizable favorites. Its comfortable atmosphere with upscale touches creates a dining experience that is special and memorable.

General Manager of the Year: Jeremy Hughes, of Columbus, is the 2017 General Manager of the Year. Hughes is the general manager of Cap City Fine Diner & Bar in Gahanna, Ohio. Hughes joined the CMR family in 2004 and has worked at several CMR concepts, with Cap City Gahanna being his fifth. Because of Hughes’ knowledge in the kitchen and on the dining room floor, he is a natural leader and integral part of the CMR team.

Executive Chef of the Year: Jonathan Basch was named CMR’s Executive Chef of the Year. Basch, of Dublin, Ohio, is the executive chef of Cap City Fine Diner & Bar in Dublin, Ohio, and previously served as the executive chef of Hudson 29 in Upper Arlington, Ohio. First joining the CMR team in 2007, Basch has risen the through the ranks at different CMR concepts such as Marcella’s, Mitchell’s Ocean Club and Molly Woo’s.

Dining Room Manager of the Year: Amanda Hintz received this year’s Dining Room Manager of the Year award. Hintz helps guests plan special occasions at Martini Modern Italian in the Short North Arts District, and previously served as the dining room manager for The Avenue Steak Tavern in Grandview Heights, Ohio. Hintz’s exceptional knowledge of the restaurant industry and genuine hospitality makes her an essential part of the CMR family.

Sous Chef of the Year: Kaitlin Lamont is the 2017 Sous Chef of the year at CMR. Lamont joined CMR as a chef at Ocean Prime in Troy, Michigan. Since then, she has worked at various CMR restaurants and has most recently been serving as the executive sous chef at The Avenue Steak Tavern in Grandview Heights, Ohio.

Cameron Mitchell Award: This year’s Cameron Mitchell Award was presented to Diane Smullen, CMR’s chief financial officer and operating partner. Smullen, of Worthington, has been part of the CMR family for 20 years and oversees the company’s accounting department, and manages the company’s banking relationships and business insurance.

2017 Ocean Prime Awards

Restaurant of the Year: Ocean Prime New York is this year’s recipient of the Restaurant of the Year award. Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Ocean Prime New York sits amongst world-class museums, theaters and corporate headquarters. Stunning settings and a vibrant energy, an impressive menu of seafood and prime cuts of steak, signature cocktails, a Wine Spectator-honored wine list and truly genuine hospitality make Ocean Prime New York an ideal place to socialize, talk business, celebrate and indulge.

General Manager of the Year: Louis Morgan III, of Rochester Hills, received the General Manager of the Year award for Ocean Prime. With more than a decade of restaurant experience, Morgan began his career with CMR at Ocean Prime Indianapolis where he worked for a year in various roles before being promoted to dining room manager and then his current position as general manager of Ocean Prime Troy. This is the second time Morgan has been the recipient of this award.

Executive Chef of the Year: Jason Shelley, of the Adams Morgan Neighborhood in Washington, D.C., is this year’s recipient of Ocean Prime’s Executive Chef of the Year award. Shelley has been a part of the CMR family since 2004 when he started as a sous chef at Mitchell’s Ocean Club, the inspiration for Ocean Prime. He has since worked at several Ocean Prime locations, including Orlando, Atlanta, Philadelphia and currently in Washington, D.C.

Dining Room Manager of the Year: Aaron Wesley, of Beverly Hills, received this year’s Dining Room Manager of the Year award. Wesley joined the CMR team in 2008 where he worked in various roles ranging from server to lead trainer and helped open Ocean Prime locations in Atlanta, Indianapolis and Orlando. He currently serves as the assistant general manager of Ocean Prime Beverly Hills.

Sous Chef of the Year: The 2017 Sous Chef of the Year award was presented to Patrick Rodemeyer of Ocean Prime New York City. Rodemeyer, of New York City, joined the CMR family more than a decade ago as a line cook at Mitchell’s Fish Market. After leaving the company briefly, Rodemeyer returned in 2015 as a sous chef for the Ocean Prime brand.