Memphis Restaurant Association to present 2020 awards; here are the winners
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/dining/2020/02/19/memphis-restaurant-association-2020-awards-winners/4780405002/
For 56 years, the Memphis Restaurant Association has honored those in the restaurant industry at its annual awards ceremony.
This year is no different. The 2020 awards will honor two individuals who have had a positive impact on the Memphis restaurant scene.
Kooky Canuck owner Shawn Danko has been named Restaurateur of the Year. Pat Taylor, who owns Cleaner Solutions LLC, is Associate Member of the Year.
“These awards bring the industry as a whole, as well as these two individuals, to light,” said Ernie Mellor, president of the MRA Board of Directors and owner of Hog Wild - Real Memphis Barbeque and A Moveable Feast Catering. “Both Shawn and Pat are big advocates for our association and our industry. The common denominator for both is that they lobby for our industry and similar small businesses both in Nashville as well as in D.C.”
Photo credit: Mark Weber for ‘Memphis Restauranteur of the Year’
Restaurateur of the Year
Shawn Danko was born in Montreal in Canada's Quebec province. While not a Memphian by birth, he has embraced his adopted hometown with enthusiasm and dedication.
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Danko has served on the board of directors for Memphis Tourism and serves on the boards for Memphis Restaurant Association, Metro Memphis Hotel & Lodging Association, and Hospitality Tennessee. He has been active lobbying for the hospitality industry at the local, state and federal levels and is chair of the Memphis Restaurant Association PAC. In 2018, Danko was named Hospitality Tennessee Restaurateur of the Year at its annual Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism.
His 13-year career with Hard Rock Café is what initially brought Danko to Memphis.
In 2005, he and his wife, Lana, opened Kooky Canuck: a 150 seat, full-service, casual dining restaurant in Downtown Memphis. This year the Dankos are celebrating the restaurant’s 15th anniversary. In 2014, the Dankos opened the second location of Kooky Canuck in Cordova.
Kooky Canuck has been featured on the Irish Travel Channel, "Trailer Park Boys," "Gas Monkey Garage," "You Gotta Eat Here!" on Food Network Canada, "World Food Championships" and "Black Ink Crew New York." It was the first restaurant filmed for "Man v. Food" in 2008, featuring the Kookamonga Burger Challenge.
“Before opening Kooky Canuck, I was already in the industry here in Memphis and began participating with the MRA. Thomas Boggs (the owner of Huey’s) was certainly a major influence,” said Danko. “Mr. Boggs took time out of his busy schedule to sit and listen and offer his advice — which had a huge impact. The restaurant business is hard enough as it is attempting to go at it alone so having mentors is vital.
"It’s important to stay involved whether it’s sharing knowledge or advocating for the industry. ‘If you are not at the table, you are on the menu.’ This quote has resonated ever since I heard it and has driven me to stay active fighting for the restaurant industry at the local, state and federal levels.”
Previous honors: Kooky Canuck owner Shawn Danko named 2018 Tennessee Restaurateur of the Year