2014
A. Anthony Abbott Co-owner, French Café
Michael Harrison Co-owner, French Café
Gayle R. Carstens Founder, President, CEO Restaurants Inc.
Dino A. Losole Head Chef, Lo Sole Mio Ristorante Italiano
Dr. Adi M. Pour Director, Douglas County Health Department
Milton S. Yin Co-founder, Hiro, Hiro 88, Pana 88
A. Anthony Abbott
Co-owner, French Café
Tony Abbott has touched many lives through his enthusiasm for fine cuisine and love for helping others. Abbott’s journey in the restaurant business began when he and his business partner and friend, Michael Harrison, had the opportunity to manage the French Café. In the heart of the Old Market, the restaurant provided Abbott a platform to help others start their own culinary journeys as well as serve customers some of the finest dining in Omaha.
Abbott was the ambassador for the International Institute for Dining Excellence as well as a volunteer with Taste of the Nation, an organization that fights to end childhood hunger. Abbott and his wife, Valerie, reside in Omaha and have two children.
Michael Harrison
Co-owner, French Café
Michael Harrison’s worldly travels with friend Tony Abbott helped fuel a passion for fine dining that led the pair to become business partners at the French Café. Harrison’s job as maître d'hôtel was a perfect fit, as his outgoing personality and ability to make others feel at home helped the Old Market restaurant become a top dining destination in Omaha.
Harrison served in the U.S. Navy and was a World War II veteran. He passed away in 1992 at the age of 70.
Gayle R. Carstens
Founder/President/CEO - Restaurants Inc.
A native Nebraskan, Gayle Carstens has influenced the restaurant scene across the region, beginning his career in 1976 with the second Godfather's Pizza franchise. Carstens then went on to open many other Godfathers locations across the Midwest and eventually partnered with employer Mike Crowley in Godfather's Pizza, Old Country Buffet, Champps Americanaand Great American Bagel. After Crowley's passing 1995, Carstens continued his business partnership with Crowley's wife Joyce. Eventually he established Restaurants Inc., a restaurant management company based in Omaha.
Carstens' entrepreneurial spirit began with his creation of Stokes Grill and Bar in 1997. He created Loco's Mexican Grill, Brick Oven Cafe and Bakery, Genii Japanese Steakhouse and Twisted Fork Grill and Saloon. He currently as a franchisee of Hohhot Mongolian Grill - a partnership that has developed 20 locations across the Midwest - as well as eight PepperJax Grill locations and a Smashburger.
In 2013, Carstens was named the recipient of Eastern Nebraska Hospitality Award by the Nebraska Restaurant Association. He and his wife, Jody, have one daughter Alyson
Dino A. Losole
Head Chef, Lo Sole Mio Ristorante Italiano
Anthony “Dino” Losole was born to be in the restaurant business. Losole’s culinary journey began in the family restaurant business at the young age of 10, and he was later hired at the Field Club of Omaha. After his parents opened Lo Sole Mio Ristorante Italiano, he studied under his father and mastered the art of menu planning, food preparation and presentation before becoming head chef for 18 years.
Losole passed away in 2013 but leaves a lasting legacy in Omaha. He served on the Omaha Restaurant Association board and worked tirelessly with various benefits and organizations, such as Benefit for 9/11, Taste of the Nation, Omaha Food Bank, Open Door Mission and Lydia House, Our Lady of Lourdes and the Omaha South High School Sports Awards Banquet.
Dr. Adi M. Pour
Director, Douglas County Health Department
As director of the Douglas County Health Department since 2002, Adi Pour has employed her passion for community involvement and helping others succeed. A native of Switzerland, Pour attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha and University of Nebraska Medical Center and attained her post-doctorate fellowship at Creighton University.
Pour received the J.G. Elliot Award from UNMC and the Public Service Excellence Award from UNO in 2007. She was also honored at the 2013 Tribute to Women event by the Women’s Center for Advancement. She enjoys cooking, reading, skiing and traveling.
Milton S. Yin
Co-founder, Hiro, Hiro 88, Pana 88
Imperial Palace Express Milton Yin grew up with the influence of a mother who had a passion for great food and a father who owned a restaurant in Korea for 30 years. While Chinese, Yin was born in South Korea and came to the United States in 1976 at the age of 18 to join his father and brother, Danny, who had opened Imperial Palace restaurant. In 1986, Yin and his family created Imperial Palace Express, a fast food-style restaurant that boomed, with other locations opening across Nebraska in Bellevue, Kearney, Norfolk, Grand Island, Fremont and La Vista. Yin continued his culinary journey when he opened Hiro Sushi in 2003. The success of Hiro would lead to Hiro 88 locations in Omaha and Lincoln as well as Pana 88.
Yin has a daughter named Jennifer with his wife, Norma, who has been involved in Yin’s restaurant ventures since Imperial Palace. He has actively supported organizations like Project Harmony, Healing Kadi Foundation, March of Dimes and the Siena/Francis House. He enjoys traveling, cooking, working with family and friends, and experiencing new restaurants.