2007
Charles "Chuck" Caniglia, Eli Caniglia and Jerry Caniglia Owners, Managers and Directors, Venice Inn
Raymond Cutchall and Robert Cutchall Owners, Managers and Directors, A&W Root Beer Stand
Richard "Rick" Fox Owner, Manager and Director, Julio's Restaurants
Paul Goebel Chef, New Tower Hotel
Robert Tim Peffer Owner, Manager and Director, Sgt. Peffers Cafe Italian
Eli Caniglia
Owner, Manager and Director, Venice Inn
He opened Venice Inn in 1957. He supported 4-H club activities and was a member of both the Nebraska and National Restaurant Associations. He enjoyed traveling to Chicago to attend the Annual Convention of the National Restaurant Association.
Charles "Chuck" Caniglia
Owner, Manager and Director, Venice Inn
The son of Eli, he was involved in the business since its opening. At age 13, he learned from the bottom up. He was a member and board member of the Omaha Restaurant Association, a member of Sons of Italy, a member of the American Heritage Society, a member of Sons of Norway and a board member for the Santa Lucia Festival Committee. He was the Omaha Restaurant Association Restaurateur of the Year (2005).
Jerry Caniglia
Owner, Manager and Director, Venice Inn
The son of Eli, he majored in Business Administration at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. During high school and college he worked at the restaurant as Chef and Bartender until he was incorporated with the family in 1979. In 1991, he opened Caniglia's Old Fashion Sicilian Pizza Parlor on 132nd and Dodge Sts. He was a member of the Omaha Restaurant Association
Raymond Cutchall
Owner, Manager and Director, A&W Root Beer Stand
Robert began his career in 1958 and was joined by his brother in 1959. They were very successful and won many national awards from A & W. In the early 1960s, the partners were approached by Col. Harlan Sanders who asked if they wanted to add Kentucky Fried Chicken to their restaurant's menu. With a handshake and a one-page document to agree to pay the Colonel 5 cents per bird, sales soon doubled at their restaurants. They eventually owned 12 KFC restaurants and won numerous awards for sales, catering and operations. In 1986, the partners decided to retire, and Raymond's son Greg organized a purchase of the company with investors. Greg sold his interest three years later. The partners were involved in charitable organizations including the Tangier Shrine, March of Dimes, Swing for the Retarded, Salvation Army and Open Door Mission.
Robert Cutchall
Owner, Manager and Director, A&W Root Beer Stand
Robert began his career in 1958 and was joined by his brother in 1959. They were very successful and won many national awards from A & W. In the early 1960s, the partners were approached by Col. Harlan Sanders who asked if they wanted to add Kentucky Fried Chicken to their restaurant's menu. With a handshake and a one-page document to agree to pay the Colonel 5 cents per bird, sales soon doubled at their restaurants. They eventually owned 12 KFC restaurants and won numerous awards for sales, catering and operations. In 1986, the partners decided to retire, and Raymond's son Greg organized a purchase of the company with investors. Greg sold his interest three years later. The partners were involved in charitable organizations including the Tangier Shrine, March of Dimes, Swing for the Retarded, Salvation Army and Open Door Mission.
Richard "Rick" Fox
Owner, Manager and Director, Julio's Restaurants
His first restaurant job was as busboy at Jack Churchill's Le Versailles Restaurant. He was Chairman of Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation in 1988, the first time in Omaha; he stayed in that position for ten years. He was member and President of the Omaha Restaurant Association, executive board member for Temple Israel and executive board member for Jewish Family. He was the Omaha Restaurant Association's Restaurateur of the Year (1990), the Ollie Webb Center Volunteer of the Year (2004) and Mosaic's Supporter of the Year (2005). He sponsored many golf tournaments for local charities.
Paul Goebel
Chef, New Tower Hotel
He was food and beverage certified and hotel management certified from Holiday Inn University. He was an apprentice for four years. He was Co-Founder of the Omaha Hospitality Hall of Fame, President of the Omaha Culinary Association, Co-Founder and President of the Nebraska Culinary Association, member and President of the Omaha Restaurant Association, Commander and Secretary for the Honorable Order of the Golden Toque, a hospitality consultant and Executive Chef and General Manager at Holiday Inn, Villager Motor Inn, New Tower Inn and Midwest Food Service. He received the Nebraska Lodging Association Dani Powers Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Honorable Order of the Golden Toque.
Robert Tim Peffer
Owner, Manager and Director, Sgt. Peffers Cafe Italian
He started his food service career at Iowa State University in 1973 and was there until 1975. He began his restaurant career at Minsky's in Ames, Iowa, in 1975. He opened Sgt. Peffer's Café Italian in 1988 and St. Peffer's Millard Café in 2006. He was a board member and President for the Omaha Restaurant Association. He was the Omaha Restaurant Association's Restaurateur of the Year (1996). He founded Sgt. Peffer's Scholarship in Missouri Valley, Iowa. He was involved in volunteer fundraising efforts, especially with Children's Hospital. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and Mid America Council of Boy Scouts.