2000
Tom Schrack, Sr. Purveyor, Hockenbergs
Erwin E. Siegler Chef, Siegler Catering
Malcom E. "Mac" Thompson Owner, Manager and Director, Neon Goose (now Taxi's)
James E. "Jim" Trebbien Educator, Metropolitan Community College
Tom Schrack, Sr.
Purveyor, Hockenbergs
He began as a delivery and installer person for Wilco Fixtures in 1957. Wilco was purchased by Pegler in 1958, and he stayed until 1972 leaving as its Vice President. He joined Hockenbergs in 1973 and purchased the company in 1985. He was an active supporter of the Omaha Restaurant Association, the American Culinary Association, Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation and the Omaha Restaurant Association Foundation. He was a member of the Omaha Restaurant Association and was named Purveyor of the Year (1986). Four of his six children ad one son-in-law work for the business.
Erwin E. Siegler
Chef, Siegler Catering
He was born in Lohr am Main, Germany, and served apprenticeships in Europe 1953-1956. He worked winter seasons at Kulm Hotel in the Swiss ski resort city of St. Moritz. Summer seasons he cooked on Holland-American cruise ships and opened hotels in Greece for the late Aristotle Onassis and toutered Anton Mossman who later catered to the tastes of Queen Elizabeth at the Dorchester Hotel in London. In 1963, he married, moved to American, settled in Minneapolis and worked for the Radisson Hotel until 1970. He moved to Omaha and became Executive Chef at the Blackstone Hotel from 1970 to 1973. He was the Food and Beverage Manager for the Ramada Inn in Omaha and started his own catering business in 1976. He was President of the Omaha Restaurant Association.
Malcom E. "Mac" Thompson
Owner, Manager and Director, Neon Goose (now Taxi's)
He was Manager at Gallaghers, Co-Owner of the Neon Goose 1979-1997 and partner in Yo Yo Grille. He was named Restaurateur of the Year (1986) by the Omaha Restaurant Association. He was a member of the steering committee for Share Our Strength Taste of the Nation earning hunger relief benefits for more than 12 years.
James E. "Jim" Trebbien
Educator, Metropolitan Community College
He is a member of the Honorable Order of the Golden Toque. He began working in restaurants at age 15 in the Lake Okoboji, Iowa, area. He earned a Mathematics degree from Mankato College in Minnesota and completed MCC's Culinary Arts Program in the late 1970s. He is a certified culinary educator and has served on the National Accreditation Team of the American Culinary Federation. He as held culinary positions at Boys Town, Holiday Inn, Omaha Livestock Market, Brandeis and Bergen Mercy Medical Center. He was Treasurer and Vice President of the Omaha Restaurant Association Foundation, a member of the Omaha Restaurant Association, board member of the American Culinary Federation, member of the Nebraska Restaurant Association advisory committee, member and chair of the Omaha Hospitality Hall of Fame and member of the admissions board for the Omaha Hospitality Hall of Fame.