Huey’s Restaurant president and CEO Lauren McHugh Robinson is the 2015 Tennessee Restaurateur of the Year.

ROBINSON

The Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association presented her with the honor at its annual awards banquet Tuesday, after choosing her based on factors like her industry knowledge and experience and involvement in the Memphis community, among other things.

According to the industry association, the honor is “the pinnacle of industry achievement.” Honorees are nominated by their peers, and each year’s nominees and winners are chosen by a panel of previous winners.

Robinson got started in the restaurant industry at a young age, with her father Thomas Boggs, working at Huey’s Midtown. She worked over the years both in the kitchen and as a server. She became CEO of the company in 2008.

In addition to Huey’s, she’s also the president and managing partner of Folk’s Folly Prime Steak House, as well as a partner in The Half Shell and Tsunami.