Rochester Red Wings Food and Beverage General Manager, Jeff Dodge, Receives Silver Spoon Award

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ALBANY, NY (05/05/2011)(readMedia)-- On Monday, May 2, the New York State Restaurant Association's (NYSRA) Rochester Chapter awarded its coveted "Silver Spoon" award to Jeff Dodge, General Manager of Food and Beverage for the Rochester Red Wings at Frontier Field.

This annual award is presented to a restaurateur or food service operator who was not "born with a silver spoon, but earned the admiration and respect of his or her peers through hard work and dedication to our industry and community."

It is not a popularity contest. The person receiving the award is selected by past award recipients based on his or her accomplishments and contributions to the industry, the Association, and the community.

"Jeff's high level of professionalism, intelligence and insight, combined with his very warm and unassuming demeanor make him an ideal person to receive this special award, "said Rick Sampson, NYSRA President. We are delighted that someone so kind and yet effective, is this year's Silver Spoon."

Born in San Francisco, Jeff Dodge was raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It was on the Jersey Shore that he had his first job at 13 in a hotel coffee shop as a soda jerk. He developed an early passion for food service under the wing of the owner who had him work every job.

Dodge attended college in Cincinnati and Tampa. For a time he became a professional wrestler, then spent a six-year hitch in the US Navy riding nuclear submarines as a reactor operator, mostly in the Pacific. While pursuing graduate work at the University of Rochester, Dodge worked for Theatre Confections and learned the finer points of concession food.

In 1998 Jeff came to Frontier Field as General Manager Food and Beverage for the Red Wings. He and his creative staff have built a wide ranging concessions program and catering operation that is unique in the area. His early experience with hot dogs hit a home run: Frontier offers a whopping eighteen varieties

Silver Spoon Recipients

1990 Edgar Anderson, Kopper Kettle

1991 M. Donald O'Neill, The Spring House

1992 Fred E. Wayne, Holloway House

1993 Peter B. Heinrich, Daisy Flour Mill

1994 Harris H. Rusitzky, The Rio

1995 Sandra Orlen, Glen Edith Restaurant

1996 Peter & Cora Pizzutelli, Glen Iris Inn

1997 Thomas W. Hackett, Edwards Restaurant

1998 Patrick J. Mammano, Maplewood Inn

1999 Vivienne Tellier-Wolfe, Richardson's Canal House

2000 James H. Sauer, Daisy Flour Mill

2001 Jay Leasure, Jay's Diner

2002 George Gerakos, The Crystal Barn

2003 David E. Crosby, Jeremiah's Tavern

2004 Philip "Red" Fedele, Brook House Restaurant

2005 John Urlaub, Rohrbach Brewing Company

2006 John Kendall, TKT of New York, Inc.

2007 Paula Pizzutelli Vullo, Hospitality House

2008 Stephen Wayne, Holloway House

2009 Nick Castronova, Lamplighter Restaurant

2010 Susan Roe, Keenan's Restaurant

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Contact: Rick Sampson, NYSRA,

518.452.4222, info@nysra.com

The New York State Restaurant Association, founded in 1935, is the leading business association for the restaurant and hospitality industry in New York State. Comprised of more than 56,000 restaurants, bars, clubs, New York restaurants represent more than 628,000 employees and sales of approximately $27 billion - making it the cornerstone of the economy, career opportunities and community involvement. Along with the New York State Restaurant Association and New York State Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, NYSRA and its chapters work to represent, educate and promote the rapidly growing hospitality industry. For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.nysra.org/.