Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s inaugural ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards event took place at the Westin Sarasota, and several Gecko’s Hospitality Group and other local hospitality employees were recognized for the prestigious awards. The ROSE Awards recognize the very best front line and service individuals in the hospitality industry who exemplify dependability, passion for their job, leadership as a role model to peers and commitment to customer service. Recognized from the Gecko’s Grill & Pub family of restaurants were: Victoria Garcia-Sanchez, Michelle Sarkis, Janie Wolfe, and Danielle Berry and from the Red Barn Bar, Kathy Martin. ROSE awardees were: Luis Valenzuela, Embassy Suites Sarasota; Marvin Palacios, The Resort and Longboat Key Club; Molly Glen, Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside; Raymond Alexander, Michaels Wine Cellar; Danielle Berry, Gecko's Hospitality Group; David Gunn, The Westin Sarasota. ROSE Award nominees included the following categories: Hotels: Front desk, housekeeping, valet, bellmen, administrative assistant, security, maintenance, engineers. Restaurants: Chef, cook, kitchen staff, hostesses, bartenders, servers. Mike Quillen, GHG co-owner with Mike Gowan, attended the event and said, “This is one of the most affirming events in our industry, being able to publicly recognize the many contributions of the amazing hospitality professionals that work in our restaurants every day. Many of our employees have been part of our work family for decades, including three-generational family, so we are so proud to work alongside of them and very pleased to see that the judges recognized them with these richly deserved awards.”