The Minnesota Restaurant Association’s Restaurateur of the Year Award recognizes professionalism, innovation, leadership and community involvement.
2018 Restaurateur of the Year:
JJ Haywood - Pizza Luce
JJ Haywood was 10 years into a career as an administrator in high education in New York City when she spent the weekend with her Uncle Joe Baier, owner of two pizza restaurants...with plans for a third...in Minnesota. They talked through his struggles with how to manage multiple locations and when he returned to Minneapolis, she received an email asking her to join him to help him turn his vision into a reality. She agreed and joined Pizza Lucé in 2001.
The company now has seven Twin Cities locations plus one in Duluth and is a well known brand in the community. It holds popular events including Tour de Lucé (a bike tour of any or all Twin Cities locations - 50 miles if you tour them all) and the Pizza Lucé Block Party with live music, craft beer and pizza. The operation is often on the cutting edge, being an early adopter of online ordering and launching a gluten-free menu.
JJ has been on the board of the Minnesota Restaurant Association since 2009 and served as president in 2013. She currently presides as chair of the Hospitality Minnesota board of directors. She also participates on the board of Meet Minneapolis and on the National Restaurant Association’s Pizzeria Industry Council.
View JJ's video:
The company now has seven Twin Cities locations plus one in Duluth and is a well known brand in the community. It holds popular events including Tour de Lucé (a bike tour of any or all Twin Cities locations - 50 miles if you tour them all) and the Pizza Lucé Block Party with live music, craft beer and pizza. The operation is often on the cutting edge, being an early adopter of online ordering and launching a gluten-free menu.
JJ has been on the board of the Minnesota Restaurant Association since 2009 and served as president in 2013. She currently presides as chair of the Hospitality Minnesota board of directors. She also participates on the board of Meet Minneapolis and on the National Restaurant Association’s Pizzeria Industry Council.
View JJ's video:
Past Recipients of the Restaurateur of the Year Award:
The Restaurateur of the Year Award was not presented in 2014
The Restaurateur of the Year Award was not presented in 2014
- Ryan Burnet - Barrio Restaurant (2017)
- Luke Shimp - Red Cow (2016)
- Brent Frederick & Jacob Toledo - Jester Concepts (2015)
- Chef Scott Foster & Patrick Woodring - Nova Restaurant Group (2013)
- Tim Murray - Murray’s Restaurant (2012)
- Andy Borg & Michael J. Paulucci - Grandma’s Restaurant Company (2011)
- Kieran Folliard - Cara Irish Pubs (2010)
- David Burley, Luke Shimp & Stephanie Shimp - Blue Plate Restaurant Co. (2009)
- Larry D’Amico, Richard D’Amico, Paul Smith - D’Amico Partners (2008)
- Pasquale (Rocco) Preese - Davanni’s (2007)
- Barb Hunn - Key’s Café (2006)
- John Schiltz - Lake Elmo Inn (2005)
