'Foodies' originators receive Founders' Award

This News By You article was submitted by Eileen Bailey.

Five years ago, Scottsdale restaurateurs Greg and Paula Elias came up with the idea of honoring Valley food-industry leaders who had inspired them.

They began producing an annual awards ceremony, inviting their heroes to a special evening at Eli's American Grille, their Scottsdale nightclub/restaurant.

Each year, the Eliases single out four to six independent restaurateurs - "foodies" who have been operating in the Valley 20 to 50-plus years - for induction into the Phoenix Foodies Hall of Fame. Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross presents each awardee a city proclamation as emcee Pat McMahon provides the history of each restaurant's origin.

On Monday, those industry leaders returned the compliment.

After this year's awards were presented, the Eliases were surprised with an award of their own, the Phoenix Foodies Hall of Fame Founders' Award, "for their creativity, caring and generosity" to the 200 or so foodies and guests who attend each year's party.

"This award also recognizes Greg Elias for 40 years of leadership in the industry, dating back to his days as a bar-back at Joe Hunt's at age 18, and to Paula Elias for organizing the best party in town," the announcement said.

Among those applauding the Eliases were some of the previous awardees: Victoria Johnson of Macayo, Dale Anderson, Louis Germain of Sans Souci, Joe and Evelyn Miller of El Chorro Lodge, the Corral family of Los Olivos, Gwen Briley of the Pink Pony, Gwen Herndon of Handlebar J, Cathy Bua of Cathy's Rum Cake, Angelo Livi and Benito Mellino of Avanti, Olivia Garcia of Garcia's, Tommy Maggiore of Tomaso's, the Verdugo family of Oaxaca, Don Carson of Don & Charlie's, Tony Duran and Zip and Kathy Killeen of Tee Pee, the Mettler family of Duck & Decanter, Michael Monti of La Casa Vieja and Dave Werner of the Dirty Drummer.

A standing ovation to the Eliases was led by this year's awardees: Vincent and Leevon Guerithault of Vincent's, Lenny Rosenberg of Delux and Zen 32; Deirdre Pain of Malee's, Richard and Cindy Huie of the Salt Cellar, Razz Kamnitzer and Bobbi Jo Haynes of Razz's, and Bud and Doris Travers of Ernie's Inn.

In 1960, Greg Elias moved to the Valley at age 10 with his parents, Anthony and Lucille Elias, from Milwaukee. After graduating from Brophy Prep, he began work at Joe Hunt's, leaving for Marquette University as a pre-dental major.

But Greg missed Phoenix and soon returned to enroll at Arizona State University, picking up again at Joe Hunt's. After graduating as a chemistry major, he met Paula when both worked at the Scottsdale Hilton in 1976. They married in 1978 and opened Vinnie's Nightclub in Phoenix in 1982. With Greg's brother Tony, Bob and Paulette Scalzi and Mike Caple, they opened Eli's in 1992.

"Greg and Paula are the best," said Joe Miller, who has owned El Chorro with Evelyn since 1973. "For them to give a party like this every year is really something. They are givers in the industry."