Super suppliers: Cheers Editorial Advisory Board selects best suppliers

Cheers, April, 2005

The Cheers Supplier of the Year Awards, organized and presented by members of the Cheers magazine Editorial Advisory Board, were also a part of the Cheers conference program. The awards criteria was created by the restaurant operator members of the Cheers Editorial Advisory Board (see page 14 for the complete list of members) led by Stan Novack, vp, concept development, adult beverage and casual dining, HMSHost. "These awards are very meaningful," Novack told the winners. "They are decided by your customers--the people who sell your products."

The board determined the awards with no restrictions set by the magazine, and for the first time this year voting was open to all operators who registered for the Cheers conference. The following outstanding suppliers are the recipients of this year's awards:

BEST LARGE BEER SUPPLIER

Anheuser-Busch was selected for its breadth of product offerings, service orientation, strong and innovative support, great representation, and as a source of information, execution, service and training.

Stan Novack, up, concept development, adult beverage and casual dining, HMSHost, left, and Adams Beverage Group up and Cheers publisher Charles Forman, right, present Anheuser-Busch's Mike Beckman with the best large beer supplier award.

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BEST SMALL BEER SUPPLIER

Boston Beer Company was praised for its quality product and personalized service, great brand support, close work with customers, outstanding marketing and willingness to think outside the box.

Novack and Forman present Boston Beer Company's director on-premise national accounts, Robert Vail, center, with the best small beer supplier award, voted on by the Cheers Editorial Advisory Board.

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BEST LARGE SPIRITS SUPPLIER

Allied Domecq was honored for its strong field and corporate support, willingness to assist operators, great products, service-focused personnel, and an ability to create ideas that work well for operators.

Allied Domecq's national accounts team, from left, Carter Daniels, Linda Barnhart and Mike O'Connell, winners in 2004, once again took home the Cheers best large spirits supplier award.

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BEST SMALL SPIRITS SUPPLIER

Remy Amerique was awarded for its commitment to finding solutions, brand dedication, innovative ideas, knowledgeable staff as well as an overall outstanding partner.

Remy Amerique's Rich McCarthy and Andrea Reisener accepted the firm's 2005 award for best small spirits supplier from Novack and Forman.

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BEST LARGE WINE SUPPLIER

Gallo was cited for its superior training and follow-up, great products, relevant consumer and product information efforts, strong support, and creative approach to operations.

Pam Cozene represented E. & J. Gallo as the winner of the best large wine supplier of 2005. The award voting, which was expanded to the full EAB this year, will feature greater input from Cheers conference operator attendees next year.

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BEST SMALL WINE SUPPLIER

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates was named for its exceptional product line and support team, consistent focus and follow-up, superior customer service, support and marketing.

Ste. Michelle Estates reps, from left, Mike Connelly, Lou Constant, Brenda Lobbate and Ben Salisbury took home the award for the company for best small wine supplier this year.

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BEST LARGE NON-ALCOHOL SUPPLIER

Coca-Cola took this award for its tremendous service and attention to detail, all-around partnership, constant follow-up, outstanding marketing and personalized service.

Coca-Cola's Doug Watson, center, once again took home the best large non-alcohol supplier award for his company. Coke was named last year's best by the Cheers EAB as well.

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BEST SMALL NON-ALCOHOL SUPPLIER

Monin won for its great product line and resources, willingness to go to great lengths to assist in drink development, distribution and training, and for its service-focused staff.

The Monin team, led by Joseph Smith, third from the right, gathered for the presentation of the 2005 Cheers best small non-alcohol supplier award.

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BEST ALLIED SERVICES SUPPLIER

Patrick Henry Creative Promotions was honored for its ability to go above and beyond, outstanding overall staff support, consistent delivery on expectations, and accommodating, prompt and knowledgeable service.

Annie Akin of Patrick Henry Creative Promotions receives her company's award for best allied supplier. PHCP also won last year.

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