YOUR 2026 FINALISTS
VOTING IS CLOSED
2026 RISE Honorees
ProStart Teacher of the Year | Amanda Repko, Questar III: Donald R. Kline Technical School, Hudson, NY
Amanda Repko is a CIA graduate and ProStart Educator who began her culinary journey as a ProStart student through Questar III BOCES. Now a dedicated educator, she brings her full-circle experience to the classroom by providing hands-on, industry-driven instruction that prepares students for success in culinary and hospitality careers. Her passion for mentorship and student growth makes her a strong advocate and leader within the ProStart program. Amanda is grateful for this recognition and deeply thankful for the opportunity to guide, inspire, and prepare the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals.
Women in Hospitality Award | Chef Roshara Sanders
Roshara Sanders ’12/’14 is an assistant professor of Culinary Arts at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), a nationally recognized chef, and a hospitality leader whose work centers culture, equity, and storytelling through food. Known affectionately as Chef Ro, she brings a powerful blend of military discipline, global perspective, and culinary artistry to both the classroom and the kitchen.
Sanders’s love of cooking began in childhood, watching her mother work in restaurants, and later in the cafeterias at Sacred Heart University. After attending a technical high school, with a culinary program taught by a CIA graduate, Sanders set her sights on attending the college herself. To make that dream a reality, Sanders enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, in 2009 and 2010, as a member of the 4th Engineer Battalion. As an automated logistical specialist, she supervised warehouse operations and equipment records, later cross-training as a food supply specialist with the 395th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
Supported by the GI Bill, and inspired by a fallen roommate who encouraged her culinary ambitions, Sanders enrolled at the CIA, earning an Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts in 2012 and a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Food Business Management in 2014. Her post-graduate career gained momentum through work in acclaimed kitchens across New York and Connecticut, including Oceana in Manhattan, where she served as chef de partie from 2018 to 2020.
A decorated veteran, Sanders rose to national prominence after winning Food Network’s Chopped: Military Veterans Edition in 2015. She went on to compete in Vegas Chef Prize Fight in 2020 and has been featured across national media, including multiple news television segments as well as a 2026 featured appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show. Sanders’s television appearances have continued with her role as a culinary instructor on Netflix’Her work has also been recognized by NBC Black, Forbes, the James Beard Foundation, and Food & Wine which named her a 2024 Game Changer.
In 2020, Sanders returned to the CIA—this time as its first Black female culinary instructor—where she remains a passionate educator and mentor. She is a leading advocate for diversity, mental health, and cultural pride in the restaurant industry. Following her participation in a Diaspora Kitchen experience in Cameroon in 2023, she helped develop CIA’s Cuisines and Cultures of Africa and Its Diaspora in the Americas curriculum.
Today, Sanders serves as Chef Ambassador at Red Rooster Harlem under acclaimed chef Marcus Samuelsson, where she contributes to menu development, cultural programming, and storytelling rooted in the African diaspora. She is also the founder of Archive Hospitality Collective, a consulting group focused on equity-driven hospitality concepts. Through this work, she and her partners plan to open a boutique hotel in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 2027. Sanders continues her long-standing service as a Chef Ambassador for Habitat for Humanity, including international work supporting the organization’s global mission.
BOOK YOUR STAY
The NYS Legislature will be in session on Feb. 3, so rooms will book up fast – don’t wait.
We recommend:
Renaissance Albany Hotel – 144 State St. (connected to Albany Capital Center)
Hampton Inn – 25 Chapel St. (10-minute walk to Albany Capital Center)
How does RISE work?
Nominations were open from November 3 – December 5. Finalists will be announced, and public voting will open on December 17. Winners will be awarded at the live event on Tuesday, February 3 at the Albany Capital Center! Follow us for updates on social media
About the Awards
⭐Favorite Restaurant (Regional) – The restaurant or establishment in this region that not only serves incredible food and drink but delivers a truly unique and distinctive dining experience. This restaurant consistently provides exceptional food and superlative service. An emphasis is placed on originality and personalized, attentive service.
⭐Front of House Team – The team that is always there: Shining brightly in the front of the house—greeting guests, clearing spaces, serving up the best drinks, or supporting the guests and staff. This award is for your bussers, hosts, bartenders, servers, barbacks, managers, or other front of house team who are the stand-out group in their position and our industry.
⭐Back of House Team – The stars behind the scenes: They have your back, making everything work seamlessly, bringing forth the best food, prepping early in the morning or late in the evening to make it all happen. This category includes chefs, expeditors, sous chefs, pastry chefs, and dishwasher teams in the back of the house who exemplify their position and our industry.
⭐MVP – The all-encompassing: An individual who has risen to the top and is the restaurant industry star we all wish to emulate.
⭐Innovation Award, Presented by Rational – This award is presented to a restaurateur or foodservice establishment that has applied a creative approach or new product, resulting in growth or transformation of their business.
⭐Community Impact – An individual or group who made a significant impact on their own community or in our restaurant community during the past year.
⭐Favorite Social Media – This award recognizes the best efforts of restaurants to build community engagement and trust, creatively share information, and expand their overall customer experience through social media.
⭐Rising Star – Honors an emerging leader in the hospitality industry whose work demonstrates ongoing exceptional growth and high potential for future impact.
⭐Caterer of the Year – An individual or business who exemplifies excellence in on-premises and/or off-premises catering. This nominee creates an environment of exceptional hospitality by providing a superior guest experience and creative culinary concepts.
⭐Women in Hospitality Award, Presented by Google – recognizes and celebrates the outstanding contributions of women in the hospitality industry throughout New York State. This award spotlights the achievements of women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence in their roles as chefs, restaurant owners, managers, or industry advocates. By honoring these women, we seek to inspire the next generation of female leaders in hospitality and promote gender equality within the industry.
View last year’s Winners HERE
THANK YOU SPONSORS
