NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Jan 25, 2016) - Drew Nieporent, one of America's most respected and celebrated restaurateurs, and founder and inspiration behind the Myriad Restaurant Group, which operates Tribeca Grill, Nobu New York City, and others, will be the first New Yorker to receive the TORCH Award during the upcoming International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York on Monday, March 7^th at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. 

The award, which recognizes an individual or group of Restaurateurs or Chefs whose achievements have enhanced and brought innovation to the restaurant and foodservice community, is presented by Ferdinand Metz, Certified Master Chef and former President of the Culinary Institute of America for more than 20 years, and Chairman of the Education Program and Urban Expositions, producers of the event.

"During the last 30 years, under Drew's leadership, Myriad has opened and operated over 39 restaurants around the world, including Seattle, Louisville, Providence, Boca Raton, London, San Francisco, Moscow, and Citi Field, home of the New York Mets and we are thrilled to present him with this illustrious award to recognize his many accomplishments," said Master Chef Metz.

Nieporent's first restaurant, the groundbreaking Montrachet (1985), earned three stars from The New York Times and kept that rating for 21 years. In 2008, the restaurant reopened as Corton, maintaining its three New York Times stars and receiving two Michelin stars with chef-partner Paul Liebrandt at the helm. In May of 2014, Nieporent reopened the space as Bâtard with the help of chef-partner Markus Glocker and partner John Winterman. Earning three stars from The New York Times, New York Magazine, and a coveted Michelin star, the restaurant opened to critical acclaim. As 2014 came to an end, Bâtard landed at the top of several end-of-year lists, including the number one spot on The New York Times' list of "The 10 Best New Restaurants of 2014." In May of 2015, the restaurant won the James Beard award for "Best New Restaurant."

"The TORCH award honors individuals whose professional accomplishments drive the industry forward and who better to present this honor to than Drew Nieporent," said Ron Mathews, Vice President for the Urban Expositions Family of Foodservice Events. "We are thrilled to recognize Drew Nieporent for providing exemplary innovation, initiating improvement and engaging with the industry." 

The International Restaurant & Foodservice Show of New York (www.internationalrestaurantny.com), sponsored by the New York State Restaurant Association, will bring together 550+ vendors and 16,000 restaurant, foodservice and retail professionals to the Jacob Javits Convention Center, March 6-8, 2016. Attendees of the Expo will have the opportunity to participate in over 30 educational sessions at the Ferdinand Metz Foodservice Forum, dedicated to foodservice professional development.