Description

Cornerstone Awards

New Venue. New Location. Same Great Energy.

The Delaware Restaurant Association’s Cornerstone Awards is the premier celebration of Delaware’s hospitality industry and this year, we’re taking the party somewhere new.

Join us at the Hercules Building in Wilmington for an unforgettable evening celebrating the people, businesses, and leaders who make Delaware’s hospitality industry so special.

This isn’t your typical awards ceremony. It’s a party.

Come celebrate with the people who make this industry great, enjoy incredible food and drinks, dance to great music, and raise a glass to another year of hospitality in Delaware.

October 5th 2026
Hercules Building Wilmington, Delaware
After-Party | Chancery Market

                            2025 Restaurateur Of The Year: Bardea

Celebrating the Best of Hospitality

The evening will feature some of the most meaningful recognitions in our industry, including:

Cornerstone Award 

Celebrating a Delaware restaurant or hospitality group that has been in business for 20 years or more and has made a lasting impact on our industry and communities.

Impact Award
Recognizing an individual or organization making a lasting impact on Delaware’s hospitality industry.

Restaurateur of the Year
Celebrating an outstanding restaurant owner(s) whose leadership, dedication, and passion have made their restaurant a hub of their community and the talk of the town. 

Excellence in Service Award
Our newest award, celebrating the hospitality professionals who go above and beyond to create exceptional experiences for guests and make their teams and workplaces stronger.

                                        2025 Cornerstone Award: 1776

Help Choose the Excellence in Service Award Winner

The nominees have been selected—and now you get a say.

Public voting for the Excellence in Service Award is open now. Help us recognize the hospitality professional who exemplifies what exceptional service is all about.

[VOTE NOW]

Food. Music. Celebration.

Expect an evening filled with great food, drinks, music, dancing, and plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Whether you're a restaurant owner, operator, hospitality professional, industry partner, or simply someone who loves Delaware's restaurant community, Cornerstone is the night to come together.

And we're keeping the celebration going...

Keep the Party Going at Chancery Market

After the awards celebration at the Hercules Building, join us for the official after-party at Chancery Market.

Grab your team, bring your friends, and get ready to celebrate late into the night.

Come Celebrate With Us

                         2025 Impact Award: Celebrate Wellness & SoDel Well

New venue. New location. Same great energy.

The Cornerstone Awards is our opportunity to celebrate the people behind Delaware’s hospitality industry—and have one heck of a party while we're at it.

October 5 | Hercules Building
After-Party | Chancery Market

[GET YOUR TICKETS]