Brittnee Vermillion, a server/bartender at Brewfontaine, this week was honored by the Ohio Restaurant Association, now known as the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance, as Best Guest Experience Provider at the Industry Awards Celebration.
This award recognizes “restaurant employees that guests come back to see repeatedly.” Servers, bartenders, hosts, food runners and anyone who directly interacts with guests were eligible for this award, which was selected by the public.
Vermillion was recognized among 19 winners around Ohio at the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance’s Industry Awards Celebration Monday evening, Dec. 4, at the Villa Millano Banquet & Conference Center in Columbus.
The city resident is a 14-year restaurant industry veteran and she has been working at Brewfontaine, 211 S. Main St., since 2015 when they opened.
“She is not only a familiar and friendly face that is known by all, but her servant leadership style ensures that all guests, whether a regular or new individuals, walk out having the most amazing experience,” Brewfontaine co-owner Adam Rammel said.
“Brittnee makes Brewfontaine feel like more than a craft beer bar…she makes it feel like they are coming ‘home’ for a drink with friends and family.”
Before coming to Brewfontaine, Brittnee worked at Roosters in Marysville for eight years as a bartender and manager.
Brittnee and her husband love watching their three children, Adeline, Sawyer and Bowie grow up in their hometown of Bellefontaine.
“What she enjoys most about her job is working with those she considers family,” Rammel said. “The majority of her customers are regulars that she knows and loves and has served for years.”
“The Industry Awards Celebration honors the best in our industry, and we couldn’t think of a more perfect way to share our new brand and vision with members,” said
John Barker, Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance president and CEO. “We continue to honor our legacy of working on behalf of Ohio’s restaurant & foodservice industry and are now looking towards the future of uniting Ohio’s hospitality community.
“From restaurants to breweries, caterers, food trucks, coffee shops and more, our community is wide and wonderful, and everyone’s welcome at our table.”
In addition to Vermillion, five other award winners were selected by public vote included: Best Restaurant North: The Blue Door Café & Bakery in Cuyahoga Falls, owned by Michael Bruno; Best Restaurant Central: Little Italy Ristorante in Groveport, owned by Avery Ward; Best Restaurant South: Boca in Cincinnati, owned by David Falk; Best Community Partner: Totally Baked Pizza in Akron, owned by John Taylor; and Best Behind the Scenes Employee: Nicole Cline of Sweets & Meats BBQ in Cincinnati
Three titans of Ohio’s restaurant industry also were inducted into the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance Hall of Fame for their lasting impact on the state’s food scene and more than 25 years of service to Ohio’s hospitality community: Dan Young, CEO of Young’s Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs; Rick Malir, Founder of City Barbecue in Dublin; and Rodney Wasserstrom, CEO of The Wasserstrom Company in Columbus.
Young is the self-described “Chief Ice Cream Dipper” of the famous Young’s Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs. Dan has worked in the family business since 1964 and under his guidance, the business has added a full-service restaurant, a cheesemaking operation, The Golden Jersey Inn and more. Dan leads more than 300 employees, and Young’s Jersey Dairy hosts more than one million visitors a year.
Malir founded City Barbecue, along with his business partners, in 1999. He was fascinated by restaurants and loved serving people. Under his leadership, City Barbecue has grown to more than 60 locations in eight states and is on pace to reach 100 eateries by 2025.
Wasserstrom began his first official role in the family company in 1961 and has led the company as the CEO for decades. For more than a century, The Wasserstrom Company and the Wasserstrom family have been trusted industry partners supplying equipment for the smallest diners, the largest restaurant chains and all businesses in between.
Brittnee Vermillion, center, displays her award from the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance alongside Brewfontaine co-owner Adam Rammel, left, and general manager Bethany Kingrey. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)