Pink Shell chef nets top restaurant award
Executive Sous Chef David Rashty of Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina seized the top honor in one of six categories at the 2015 Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa recently.
Rashty was awarded winner of the 2015 restaurant category after being nominated for two incidents in which he meticulously cared for a customer’s food allergies in one, and then cared for a three-year-old child who was having an epileptic seizure in the other.
“Our nominee began working with our family weeks before our visit to help accommodate our son’s food allergies,” said a nominator from San Francisco. “He and his entire team went above and beyond to ensure safety and comfort, with meals that tasted fantastic. At every meal we reviewed options with our nominee for our son. Just amazing!”
In the second incident, the child had been seizure free for two months so the family planned a much-needed getaway to Pink Shell. When the little girl began having a seizure at the outdoor restaurant, Rashty called 911 from his cell phone and stayed close to her to make sure she was breathing and comfortable as he continued the communication with the 911 operator.
“He never left her side while waiting for the ambulance to arrive to take her to the hospital,” the nomination letter stated. “He was so calm the whole time and so very helpful to the girl and her family. He did an outstanding and admirable job in such a serious and stressful incident.”
Rashty was honored with an E Award trophy and plaque at the awards ceremony. Hospitality tourism was said to generate nearly $3 billion for the local economy.
The 15th annual awards ceremony celebrated hospitality professionalism and extraordinary customer service that businesses provide to Lee County visitors each year. First class service and “over-the-top” hospitality role models were selected in six categories: restaurant, transportation, accommodations, attractions, other services and Good Samaritan. Best Tourism Boss and Honor of Distinction were also awarded.