Nominations have closed for the Building Good Work Together awards, but the fun has just begun.
Don’t miss our Cheers to the Nominees happy hour!
When: Tuesday, August 11 from 4:30–6:30 PM
Where: Central Machine Works (4824 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702)
Join Good Work Austin for an evening of connection and celebration as we recognize this year's Building Good Work Together award nominees; hospitality workers, managers, and leaders who have been recognized by their peers for helping make Austin's food and beverage industry stronger.
Whether you're a worker, GWA member, or simply someone who believes in supporting our local hospitality community, we'd love to see you there. Come celebrate the people building good work, meet others from across the industry, and connect with the community that's making Austin a better place to work.
We'll have a tab open, so come early to grab a drink and enjoy light snacks on us while they last!
Nominations for 2026 closed on August 1, 2026. Thank you to community members, coworkers, and industry peers for their nominations recognizing individuals and businesses making a meaningful impact in our community.
Together, we can celebrate the people helping Austin’s hospitality industry thrive through care, leadership, and good work.
We believe it is more important than ever to celebrate the people and businesses creating good work in our hospitality community. Every day, there are leaders who are building healthier workplaces, supporting their teams, strengthening our local food scene, and showing what it means to care for one another in this industry.
At Building Good Work Together, we are proud to shine a light on the restaurants, hospitality groups, chefs, and emerging leaders who are helping shape a more sustainable, equitable, and people-centered future for hospitality.
This year, we will recognize leaders through four awards:
Executive Chef Leadership Award
Honors an executive chef who leads with integrity, mentorship, and care for both their team and the broader food community. Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to creating healthy workplaces, supporting staff growth, and using food as a force for good.
Building Good Business Award
Celebrates a business owner that is setting the standard for people-centered hospitality. Nominees should prioritize employee well-being, invest in their employees, and model practices that strengthen a more equitable and sustainable local food scene.
Rising Leader Award
Recognizes an emerging leader in the hospitality industry (server, bartender, manager, sous chef, etc.) who is making a meaningful impact early in their career. Nominees should show initiative, passion, and a strong commitment to uplifting their coworkers, workplace, and community.
Industry Leadership Award
Honors a hospitality group that is helping shape a stronger, healthier, and more sustainable industry in Austin. Nominees should demonstrate leadership through workplace culture, employee support, community impact, and commitment to advancing good work across the hospitality ecosystem.
FAQs
Who can submit a nomination?
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Anyone! Customers, coworkers, managers, business owners, employees, vendors, and community members are all welcome to submit nominations. Self nominations are encouraged.
Does the nominee have to be a Good Work Austin member?
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No. You do not have to be a Good Work Austin member to be nominated or to win. The awards recognize hospitality leaders across the community.
Can I nominate myself or my own business?
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Yes! Self-nominations are welcome.
Can I submit more than one nomination?
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Absolutely. There is no limit to the number of nominations you can submit. You may nominate multiple people or businesses, and you may submit nominations in multiple award categories.
Can the same person or business be nominated for multiple awards?
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Yes. If someone meets the criteria for more than one category, they may be nominated for multiple awards.
What types of people and businesses are eligible?
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Anyone working in or leading the food and beverage hospitality industry in Central Texas is eligible to be nominated, provided they meet the criteria for the award category. Eligible nominees include individuals such as chefs, restaurant owners, bartenders, servers, managers, hospitality professionals, and emerging leaders, as well as businesses and hospitality groups including restaurants, bars, cafés, bakeries, food trucks, caterers, breweries, distilleries, wineries, and other food and beverage establishments.
Ineligible people and businesses include Good Work Austin Board Members and their associated businesses. Workers from their businesses are eligible to win.
For the purposes of these awards, Central Texas includes the following counties: Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson. Nominees do not need to live or work within Austin city limits to be eligible.
What makes a strong nomination?
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The strongest nominations include specific examples of how the nominee has positively impacted their team, workplace, or the broader hospitality community. Tell us what makes them exceptional.
How long does it take to complete a nomination?
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Most nominations can be completed in about 5–10 minutes.
How are winners selected?
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Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges that utilize a shared rubric to evaluate nominations.
When will winners be announced?
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Winners will be announced at the Building Good Work Together celebration on August 25, 2026.
Will nominees be notified?
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Yes. Finalists will be contacted by Good Work Austin with additional information before the awards ceremony.
Is there a cost to submit a nomination?
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No. Nominations are completely free.
Can I edit my nomination after I submit it?
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If you need to update your nomination after submitting, please contact Good Work Austin at info@goodworkaustin.org and we'll do our best to help.
I have another question. Who should I contact?
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Email info@goodworkaustin.org and we will be happy to help.
What do winners receive?
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Winners will be recognized at the Building Good Work Together awards celebration on August 25, 2026 and will receive:
A commemorative award to display in their place of business.
Recognition through Good Work Austin's marketing and communications, including promotion across our website, social media channels, newsletter, and other media opportunities.
The opportunity to be recognized as a leader helping build a stronger, healthier, and more people-centered hospitality industry in Central Texas.
THANK YOU TO OUR BUILDING GOOD WORK TOGETHER 2026 SPONSORS
