Greenville, S.C. – The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) recently announced the winners of the Stars of the Hospitality Industry Awards, and owner Rick Erwin of The Rick Erwin Dining Group in Greenville, SC was among the honorees. Named 2013 Restaurateur of the Year, Erwin was selected from a pool of statewide nominees for his outstanding service, accomplishments, and dedication to success in the industry. He, along with 10 other award recipients, will be recognized at the Spirit of Hospitality and the South Carolina Stars of the Industry Awards on February 25.

Greenville, SC: Jason McCarthy, Executive Chef at Rick Erwin’s West End Grille, has been promoted to Corporate Chef at Rick Erwin Dining Group (REDG) to oversee culinary operations as the company looks to expand its offering. Jason, who has served as Executive Chef at West End Grille since 2007, will continue in this role, in addition to his new responsibilities as Corporate Chef. Jason will now be responsible for planning, overseeing, leading and managing all facets of culinary operations in the future—a significant responsibility as the REDG brand has plans for strategic growth and expansion in the coming months.

It would appear that sometimes Erwin does not have an off switch. On a Friday evening, the restaurateur and chairman of the South Carolina Hospitality Association moves about his Rick Erwin’s West End Grille greeting guests table-side, moving through the kitchen, checking in with the folks behind the bar, weaving between the servers.
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World-renowned Chef Thomas Keller, best known for his James Beard Award winning restaurants, Napa Valley and The French Laundry, hosted a memorable meal at Nantucket Seafood Grill last month.

Wine Spectator, the most influential source of wine information, announced its 2011 Restaurant Wine List Award winners, with Rick Erwin’s West End Grille and Nantucket Seafood Grill both being honored.

Nantucket Seafood Grill has been voted an OpenTable Diner’s Choice Award Winner for 2011 and 2012. The prestigious Award recognizes the total dining experience that Nantucket provides. And since the Award is voted on by OpenTable.com diners, it gives us great pride, as well as renewed dedication to exceeding our customers expectations. Diners' Choice lists are generated by the feedback received from diners who book through OpenTable and are marked as "seated” in the restaurant. OpenTable then emails these diners asking them to complete a Dining Feedback Form about the various aspects of their dining experience. To those who voted for us, we thank you and look forward to serving you in the future.

Wine Spectator's Restaurant Wine List Awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. The Award of Excellence honors restaurants whose lists offer a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Typically, these lists offer at least 100 selections.

Since 1999 the Entrepreneurs Forum has recognized individuals who have contributed to the prosperity of upstate South Carolina through their entrepreneurial activities, business leadership, and involvement in the community. In the fall of 2010 four persons were recognized: Jim Benson, Benson Automotive: Rick Erwin, Rick Erwin’s Inc., Henry Harrison, American Services, Inc.; and Ralph Hendricks, Hendricks Properties.