Welcome to Memphis' Pick Awards honor hospitality industry's best: Meet the 2023 winners
Ever had a restaurant server or hotel employee go above and beyond?
Welcome to Memphis' Annual Pick Awards recognize the people who deliver the best, most authentic Memphis hospitality, are knowledgeable about Memphis amenities and have pride in Memphis. All professionals in the Memphis area hospitality and tourism industry are eligible, and nominations come from visitors, locals, employers and fellow employees.
On Oct. 23, Welcome to Memphis’ Annual Pick Awards Party celebrated the outstanding work of all hospitality professionals and recognized those who delivered the best, most authentic Memphis hospitality in 2023.
This year, the awards included four categories: restaurants, attractions, hotels and docents. Winners in each category received a trophy and a $500 prize, while runners-up were awarded a $250 prize.
There were also two additional awards given for outstanding service.
The Michelle Land Award is presented to one nominee annually and is named after hospitality veteran Michelle Land, the first Pick Award winner. The Michelle Land Award acknowledges the incredible lengths team members will go for those visiting Memphis hotels, restaurants and attractions.
New this year is the Mary Schmitz Leadership Award, named after Welcome to Memphis founding executive director, Mary Schmitz. Beginning in 2024, workers in leadership positions in hospitality and tourism will be eligible to receive this award for exemplary leadership and support for their teams.
The mission of Welcome to Memphis, a subsidiary of Memphis Tourism, is to support, train and recognize the Memphis hospitality workforce.
Restaurant Winner: Brooke Hurdle, Loflin Yard
Several people attested to Brooke Hurdle’s gifts as a bartender and server at Loflin Yard. One nominator said they witnessed award-worthy behavior from Hurdle "every day.”
In addition to “making a mean cocktail” and providing excellent customer service, Hurdle goes the extra mile to make guests feel welcome. One nominator wrote about interacting with Hurdle while on a blind date: “She is the main reason we have been back to the bar and the reason we have continued to date. Brooke is a very fun person to be around.”
Another wrote about how Hurdle met a group of tourists who had come to Memphis from Germany for Elvis Week: “They asked if she would recommend some other local establishments. She instead loaded them all up in her car and took them on a mini city tour of Memphis' famous spots.”
Runner-up: Wayne Whitten, Hard Rock Café (now employed by Lafayette's Music Room)
Hotel Winner: Lolita Suggs, Guest House at Graceland
A tourism professional nominated Guest House at Graceland employee Lolita Suggs after witnessing the way she interacted with guests arriving in Memphis two days before they boarded their Mississippi River cruise to New Orleans.
“Lolita welcomed each guest into the reception area and to Memphis as if she were welcoming them into her home,” the nominator said, noting Suggs took the time to talk to every person, making them each feel special. “At the end of the shift she mentioned that her father had died just the day before. When asked why in the world she was at work instead of at home, she quickly responded that coming to work and interacting with her guests always made her feel better!” The nominator was impressed by Suggs' care and devotion to offering hospitality. “Lolita is a true professional in our industry!”
Runner-up: Tina Minor, Holiday Inn Express & Suites
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Attractions Winner: Jimmy Connor, Memphis Zoo
Jimmy Connor has been a dedicated team member at the Memphis Zoo for many years, currently working in the water quality department.
His nominator, a coworker, wrote: “Making sure clean, running water is provided across the entirety of the property is integral to our operations at Memphis Zoo.” Most mornings, Connor is at the zoo bright and early to make sure the fountains and other sources of water are ready for the day ahead. He also has to ensure each individual animal's water needs are fully taken care of.
His nominator wrote, “Ever wonder how the cold animals stay so cool in the summer? Part of Jimmy's job is not only cleaning the water, but also making the water cold enough for a polar bear! You may not know that sea lions need about 35,000 parts per million of salt in their water to maintain good eye care, but Jimmy always knows!”
With the addition of the zoo’s new Splash Park, Connor’s work expands every summer to make sure kids and their families can splash safely. “Jimmy is an integral part of the Memphis Zoo family,” his nominator wrote, “and we cannot fathom where we would be without him.”
Attractions Runner-Up: Tyler Williams, National Civil Rights Museum
Docent Winner: Shannon Walton Baker, Backbeat Tours
Backbeat Tours docent Shannon Walton Baker’s nominators consistently described her as knowledgeable, fun and accommodating.
One customer described how Baker successfully took a group on a tour of Beale Street with a limited amount of time.
Another customer review described the way Baker handled a power outage in Downtown Memphis mid-tour: "While on our tour, the power went out in Downtown Memphis, and Shannon was able to make adjustments on the fly to accommodate our group. She had the experience and knowledge to route our group to the best location to watch the ducks at the Peabody Hotel. Excellent tour and fabulous tour guide!"
Docent Runner-up: Jackie Murray, A Tour of Possibilities
Michelle Land Award Winner: Will Jasper, Huey's Restaurants
Huey's employee Will Jasper is repeatedly described as friendly, kind and easygoing. Nominators cited his friendliness, his efficiency and his calm demeanor. But one nomination stuck out to us: “I was sitting at the bar at Huey’s one night while Will was working. Another patron of the restaurant was eating their food when they began to choke. The patron’s friends immediately began to freak out. Will, without hesitation, jumped into action and began to perform the Heimlich maneuver on the patron. A few moments later, the food was dislodged from the patron’s airway, and he could breathe again. Who knows how the situation would’ve ended up without Will’s quick reaction that night? Without a doubt in my mind, Will saved that man’s life. Anytime you enter Huey’s East Memphis Will’s face is one of the first you see, whether it be behind the bar or at your table, he is the best server/bartender in the entire City of Memphis and exemplifies what it means to be a Memphian.”
Another regular customer wrote, “Even as a nurse, I was blown away at how quickly and efficiently he jumped into action, as everyone stared in fear. Jasper’s been an amazing worker for years, but this year he’s a hero.”
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Mary Schmitz Leadership Award Winner: Mary Schmitz
The first Mary Schmitz Leadership Award was given to Mary Schmitz in honor of her work and dedication for Memphis and the hospitality and tourism industries.
Schmitz worked for Memphis Tourism in various roles for more than 20 years. In her last iteration as executive director for Welcome to Memphis, Schmitz was tasked with supporting industry employees with customer service and hospitality training. She developed Welcome to Memphis, offered training to hotels, attractions, and restaurants across the city and started the Pick Awards as an effort to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the workers who are the backbone of the industry.
Nominations are currently open for the 2024 Pick Awards. To nominate someone visit welcometomemphis.org/awards.
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer.chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Welcome to Memphis' Pick Awards: Here are the 2023 winners
