1998
Patricia Cropper Espeland Educator, University of Nebraska-Omaha
Sam Epstein Purveyor, Nogg Fruit Company
Walter Hecht Chef, Vienna Cafe
George Payne Owner, Manager and Director, Virginia Cafe
Patricia Cropper Espeland
Educator, University of Nebraska-Omaha
She was Unit Manager for Marshall Fields in Chicago where she initiated Field's famous frozen foods and Administrative Dietitian and Food Services Director at Kansas State University. She managed the family restaurant in Manhattan, Kan. She was named Assistant Professor at the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1972 and taught food and wine, creative catering, basic foods and other subject. She wrote creative catering, food management and quantity foods guide manuals.
Sam Epstein
Purveyor, Nogg Fruit Company
He began in the industry as Produce Marketing Manager for the Omaha Potato Market. He became a salesman for the Nogg Fruit Company in 1956, was made partner in 1957 and became owner in 1976. He helped introduce frozen French fries, frozen pies and frozen juices to Omaha. He sold the business to Demma Fruit Co in 1991. He was a member of the Cosmopolitan Club, SCORE, Jewish Federation, B'nai B'rith and the American Culinary Federation. He was named Purveyor of the Year (1987) by the Omaha Restaurant Association. In 1944 he received the Sunkist Growers recognition for promo selling the most oranges in a single store in one weekend (30 cases).
Walter Hecht
Chef, Vienna Cafe
He was born in Switzerland and attended Culinary College in Lucrene. He worked as a chef in London, New York City, Puerto Rico and Denver before coming to Omaha. He worked as an Executive Chef at the Omaha Club from 1963 to 1976 then founded Old Vienna Cafe in South Omaha. He prepared and donated food to human services fundraisers such as the Child Savings Institute and Opera Omaha. He obtained a pilot license and co-founded Midwestern Skyways where he flew ill people to get medical care.
George Payne
Owner, Manager and Director, Virginia Cafe
The Payne family had the oldest, one owner restaurant in the same location in downtown Omaha, Virginia Café. He served the restaurant from 1953 to 1970, ending his career there as Secretary and Treasurer when the building was destroyed by fire. He served three terms as President and five terms as Secretary of the Omaha Restaurant Association. He worked with the Douglas County Health Department to establish inspection codes. He was one of the founders of the Omaha Restaurant Association scholarship fund and helped organize a series of dinners hosting state legislators, city officials and others to improve the Omaha Restaurant Association's image.