THE ANNUAL
GRIDDLE CREW AWARDS
HERE, YOU’LL FIND THE OFFICIAL ARCHIVE OF ALL RED CARPET DINNER AWARDS FROM OUR ANNUAL SOCIAL SUMMIT — WHERE WE CELEBRATE THE BEST OF THE BEST IN TRUE BLACKSTONE STYLE. FROM BREAKOUT STARS TO COMMUNITY MVPS, THESE HONORS RECOGNIZE THE CREW MEMBERS WHO’VE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND IN CREATIVITY, LEADERSHIP, AND IMPACT.
CHERI RENEE DRURY
GRIDDLE CREW ICON
THE GRIDDLE CREW ICON AWARD RECOGNIZES THE ULTIMATE MVP OF THE ENTIRE GRIDDLE CREW COMMUNITY, REPRESENTING EXCELLENCE ACROSS EVERY CATEGORY OF CONTRIBUTION. FROM CONTENT CREATION AND COLLABORATION TO LEADERSHIP AND BRAND REPRESENTATION, THEY CONSISTENTLY SET THE HIGHEST STANDARD IN EVERYTHING THEY DO. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE INDIVIDUAL WHOSE IMPACT, INFLUENCE, AND PRESENCE DEFINE WHAT IT TRULY MEANS TO BE A GRIDDLE CREW ICON.
2024 WINNER: ERIN GRAVES
SMOKIN' GRIDDLE BOIS
BREAKTHROUGH AWARD
THE BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE CREW BREAKTHROUGH AWARD CELEBRATES THE MEMBER WHO HAS SHOWN THE GREATEST GROWTH AND IMPROVEMENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. BY CREATING MORE ENGAGING CONTENT AND BECOMING A STRONGER PRESENCE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, THEY'VE TAKEN THEIR GRIDDLE CREW JOURNEY TO THE NEXT LEVEL. THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES THE DEDICATION, HARD WORK, AND COMMITMENT THAT TRANSFORMED POTENTIAL INTO STANDOUT PERFORMANCE.
2024 WINNER: KELLY KING
grant theophilus
content innovator of the year
THE BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE CREW CONTENT INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD RECOGNIZES THE MEMBER WHO CONSISTENTLY PUSHED CREATIVE BOUNDARIES AND INTRODUCED FRESH, ORIGINAL IDEAS TO THE COMMUNITY. WHETHER THROUGH NEW FORMATS, UNEXPECTED STORYTELLING, OR STANDOUT VISUAL STYLE, THEY HELPED ELEVATE WHAT GRIDDLE CREW CONTENT CAN LOOK LIKE. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE VISIONARY WHO DIDN’T JUST CREATE CONTENT—THEY RESHAPED HOW IT’S MADE AND SHARED.
2024 WINNER: jake miller
ERIN GRAVES
ALL GAS. NO BRAKES.
THE BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE CREW ALL GAS NO BRAKES CAMPAIGN AWARD CELEBRATES THE MEMBER WHO BROUGHT NONSTOP ENERGY AND FULL-THROTTLE COMMITMENT TO THE CAMPAIGN FROM START TO FINISH. THEY SHOWED UP WITH RELENTLESS CONSISTENCY, BOLD CREATIVITY, AND A WILLINGNESS TO PUSH EVERY IDEA FURTHER WITHOUT HESITATION. THIS AWARD HONORS THE CREATOR WHO EMBODIED PURE MOMENTUM AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LOOK AWAY.
2024 WINNER: SMOKIN' GRIDDLE BOIS
SHANE JACOBS
GREAT GRIDDLE OFF MVP
THE GREAT GRIDDLE OFF MVP AWARDS RECOGNIZE THE FOUR STANDOUT COMPETITORS WHO DELIVERED EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE, SKILL, AND CONSISTENCY THROUGHOUT THE EVENT. EACH MVP BROUGHT THEIR OWN STYLE TO THE GRIDDLE, IMPRESSING JUDGES AND FANS ALIKE WITH CREATIVITY, PRECISION, AND BIG-TIME EXECUTION UNDER PRESSURE. THIS HONOR CELEBRATES THE TOP FOUR INDIVIDUALS WHOSE EFFORTS HELPED DEFINE THE ENERGY AND EXCELLENCE OF THE GREAT GRIDDLE OFF.
2024 WINNER: BUTCH BENNETT
CHERI RENEE DRURY
TOP POINT EARNER
THE TOP POINT EARNER OF THE YEAR AWARD RECOGNIZES THE COMPETITOR WHO ACCUMULATED THE HIGHEST TOTAL POINTS ACROSS ALL EVENTS AND CHALLENGES. THROUGH CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE, STRATEGIC EXECUTION, AND STANDOUT RESULTS, THEY PROVED TO BE THE MOST DOMINANT AND RELIABLE FORCE ON THE LEADERBOARD. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE INDIVIDUAL WHOSE SEASON-LONG EXCELLENCE SET THE STANDARD FOR SUCCESS IN THE GREAT GRIDDLE.
AMBER AYERS
STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR
THE BLACKSTONE STORYTELLER OF THE YEAR AWARD RECOGNIZES THE GRIDDLE CREW MEMBER WHO CONSISTENTLY BROUGHT RECIPES, MOMENTS, AND EXPERIENCES TO LIFE THROUGH COMPELLING STORYTELLING. THEY WENT BEYOND SIMPLY SHOWCASING FOOD BY CAPTURING THE MEANING, EMOTION, AND JOURNEY BEHIND EVERY COOK. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE CREATOR WHOSE VOICE AND VISION TURNED EVERYDAY GRIDDLE MOMENTS INTO STORIES WORTH REMEMBERING.
ARI ROBERTS
captain of the year
THE GRIDDLE CREW CAPTAIN OF THE YEAR AWARD RECOGNIZES THE POD LEADER WHO SET THE HIGHEST STANDARD FOR GUIDING AND SUPPORTING THEIR SMALL GROUP OF CREW MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THEY LED THEIR POD WITH CONSISTENCY, COMMUNICATION, AND GENUINE INVESTMENT IN EACH MEMBER’S GROWTH AND SUCCESS. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE CAPTAIN WHOSE LEADERSHIP STRENGTHENED THEIR TEAM FROM WITHIN AND ELEVATED THE ENTIRE GRIDDLE CREW COMMUNITY.
THE CLEVELANDS
CONGENIALITY CHEERMEISTERS
THE BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE CREW CONGENIALITY CHEERMEISTER AWARD RECOGNIZES THE MEMBER WHO GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND TO ENCOURAGE, SUPPORT, AND CELEBRATE EVERYONE AROUND THEM. WHETHER THEY'RE WELCOMING NEW FACES OR SPREADING POSITIVITY, THIS AWARD HONORS THE PERSON WHOSE ENTHUSIASM, KINDNESS, AND INFECTIOUS ENERGY MAKE THE GRIDDLE CREW A MORE CONNECTED AND ENJOYABLE PLACE FOR EVERYONE.
2024 WINNER: MICHELE STRICKLAND
JENNIFER BRUMAGHIM
RISING ROOKIE
THE BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE CREW RISING ROOKIE AWARD HONORS A FIRST-YEAR MEMBER WHO MADE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY. THROUGH OUTSTANDING CONTENT, ACTIVE PARTICIPATION, AND AN EAGERNESS TO LEARN AND CONTRIBUTE, THEY QUICKLY ESTABLISHED THEMSELVES AS A VALUABLE PART OF THE CREW. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES A NEWCOMER WHOSE FUTURE IN THE GRIDDLE CREW IS AS BRIGHT AS THEIR IMPRESSIVE FIRST SEASON.
2024 WINNER: SMOKIN' GRIDDLE BOIS
ryan rainbolt
blackstone blockbuster
THE BLACKSTONE BLOCKBUSTER AWARD FOR VISUAL EXCELLENCE HONORS THE GRIDDLE CREW MEMBER WHOSE CONTENT CONSISTENTLY DELIVERED STUNNING, HIGH-IMPACT VISUALS THAT STOPPED PEOPLE MID-SCROLL. FROM COMPOSITION AND LIGHTING TO STYLING AND OVERALL PRESENTATION, EVERY DETAIL REFLECTED A CINEMATIC LEVEL OF QUALITY. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE CREATOR WHOSE WORK LOOKED LESS LIKE EVERYDAY CONTENT AND MORE LIKE A BLOCKBUSTER MOMENT BROUGHT TO LIFE.
2024 WINNER: GRANT THEOPHILUS
MARTA DOMINGOS FREITAS
SCROLL STOPPER
THE BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE CREW SCROLL-STOPPING PHOTO AWARD RECOGNIZES THE SINGLE IMAGE THAT MADE PEOPLE PAUSE, DOUBLE-TAKE, AND INSTANTLY ENGAGE. FROM MOUTHWATERING FOOD STYLING TO PERFECT LIGHTING AND COMPOSITION, EVERY DETAIL CAME TOGETHER TO DEMAND ATTENTION IN A CROWDED FEED. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE CREATOR WHO PROVED THAT ONE POWERFUL PHOTO CAN TELL A WHOLE STORY IN A SINGLE FRAME.
2024 WINNER: ROBERT & EBONY ROSE
ROWENA MELENDEZ
GREAT GRIDDLE OFF MVP
THE GREAT GRIDDLE OFF MVP AWARDS RECOGNIZE THE FOUR STANDOUT COMPETITORS WHO DELIVERED EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE, SKILL, AND CONSISTENCY THROUGHOUT THE EVENT. EACH MVP BROUGHT THEIR OWN STYLE TO THE GRIDDLE, IMPRESSING JUDGES AND FANS ALIKE WITH CREATIVITY, PRECISION, AND BIG-TIME EXECUTION UNDER PRESSURE. THIS HONOR CELEBRATES THE TOP FOUR INDIVIDUALS WHOSE EFFORTS HELPED DEFINE THE ENERGY AND EXCELLENCE OF THE GREAT GRIDDLE OFF.
2024 WINNER: KEN REPKING
TAWNYA WILLIAMS
BIGGEST SOCIAL GROWTH
THE GRIDDLE CREW BIGGEST SOCIAL GROWTH AWARD RECOGNIZES THE MEMBER WHO ACHIEVED THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN REACH, ENGAGEMENT, AND OVERALL AUDIENCE GROWTH THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THROUGH CONSISTENT POSTING, SMART STORYTELLING, AND A CLEAR CREATIVE VOICE, THEY EXPANDED THEIR PRESENCE IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE CREATOR WHOSE MOMENTUM ON SOCIAL MEDIA REFLECTED BOTH HARD WORK AND UNDENIABLE CONNECTION WITH THEIR AUDIENCE.
ANDY WILSON
BRAND BUILDER
THE BLACKSTONE BRAND BUILDER AWARD RECOGNIZES THE GRIDDLE CREW MEMBER WHO MADE A MEASURABLE IMPACT IN GROWING AND STRENGTHENING THE BLACKSTONE BRAND. THROUGH CONSISTENT HIGH-QUALITY CONTENT, AUTHENTIC ENTHUSIASM, AND STRONG COMMUNITY INFLUENCE, THEY HELPED EXPAND AWARENESS AND DEEPEN CONNECTION WITH AUDIENCES. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE CREATOR WHOSE WORK DIDN’T JUST SHOWCASE BLACKSTONE—BUT ACTIVELY HELPED BUILD ITS PRESENCE AND REPUTATION.
caroline & james nelson
live landslide
THE LIVE LANDSLIDE AWARD RECOGNIZES THE GRIDDLE CREW MEMBER WHO DOMINATED TIKTOK LIVE WITH UNSTOPPABLE ENERGY AND CONSISTENT AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT. WHETHER IT WAS COOKING IN REAL TIME, ANSWERING QUESTIONS, OR BUILDING HYPE WITH VIEWERS, THEY TURNED EVERY LIVE SESSION INTO A MUST-WATCH EVENT. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE CREATOR WHO MADE GOING LIVE FEEL LESS LIKE A BROADCAST AND MORE LIKE A FULL-ON GRIDDLE CREW EXPERIENCE.
PORKCHOP DAVIS
CONTENT KING
THE BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE CREW CONTENT KING AWARD RECOGNIZES THE MEMBER WHO PRODUCED THE HIGHEST VOLUME OF CONTENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THEIR CONSISTENT CREATIVITY, DEDICATION, AND RELENTLESS EFFORT HELPED KEEP THE GRIDDLE CREW INSPIRED, ENGAGED, AND WELL-FED WITH FRESH IDEAS. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE CREATOR WHO PROVED THAT SHOWING UP DAY AFTER DAY MAKES A LASTING IMPACT.
2024 WINNER: BUTCH BENNETT
marshall bell
mic drop award
THE BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE CREW MIC DROP AWARD CELEBRATES THE MEMBER WHO DELIVERED THE MOST UNFORGETTABLE KARAOKE PERFORMANCE AT SOCIAL SUMMIT. WHETHER THEY WOWED THE CROWD WITH INCREDIBLE VOCALS, UNMATCHED STAGE PRESENCE, OR PURE ENTERTAINMENT, THEY OWNED THE SPOTLIGHT FROM THE FIRST NOTE TO THE LAST. THIS AWARD HONORS THE PERFORMER WHO TURNED KARAOKE INTO A SHOW EVERYONE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT LONG AFTER THE MUSIC STOPPED.
2024 WINNER: greg & colleen simons
BLACKSTONE COWBY &
GRILLS NEXT DOOR
COLLAB OF THE YEAR
THE BLACKSTONE GRIDDLE CREW COLLAB OF THE YEAR AWARD RECOGNIZES THE STANDOUT PARTNERSHIP THAT BROUGHT MEMBERS TOGETHER TO CREATE SOMETHING BIGGER, BETTER, AND MORE MEMORABLE THAN THEY COULD HAVE DONE ALONE. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE DUO OR GROUP WHOSE TEAMWORK SET THE STANDARD FOR WHAT GRIDDLE CREW COLLABORATION SHOULD LOOK LIKE.
2024 WINNER: BLACKSTONE COWBOY &
GRILLS NEXT DOOR
BLACKSTONE BROS
GREAT GRIDDLE OFF MVP
THE GREAT GRIDDLE OFF MVP AWARDS RECOGNIZE THE FOUR STANDOUT COMPETITORS WHO DELIVERED EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE, SKILL, AND CONSISTENCY THROUGHOUT THE EVENT. EACH MVP BROUGHT THEIR OWN STYLE TO THE GRIDDLE, IMPRESSING JUDGES AND FANS ALIKE WITH CREATIVITY, PRECISION, AND BIG-TIME EXECUTION UNDER PRESSURE. THIS HONOR CELEBRATES THE TOP FOUR INDIVIDUALS WHOSE EFFORTS HELPED DEFINE THE ENERGY AND EXCELLENCE OF THE GREAT GRIDDLE OFF.
2024 WINNER: NIKKI & JASON PLOUGH
PORKCHOP DAVIS
GREAT GRIDDLE OFF MVP
THE GREAT GRIDDLE OFF MVP AWARDS RECOGNIZE THE FOUR STANDOUT COMPETITORS WHO DELIVERED EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE, SKILL, AND CONSISTENCY THROUGHOUT THE EVENT. EACH MVP BROUGHT THEIR OWN STYLE TO THE GRIDDLE, IMPRESSING JUDGES AND FANS ALIKE WITH CREATIVITY, PRECISION, AND BIG-TIME EXECUTION UNDER PRESSURE. THIS HONOR CELEBRATES THE TOP FOUR INDIVIDUALS WHOSE EFFORTS HELPED DEFINE THE ENERGY AND EXCELLENCE OF THE GREAT GRIDDLE OFF.
2024 WINNER: ROBERT & EBONY ROSE
MIKE MCCOURT
RIDE OR DIE
THE BLACKSTONE RIDE OR DIE AWARD RECOGNIZES THE GRIDDLE CREW MEMBER WHO DEMONSTRATED UNWAVERING LOYALTY AND PASSION FOR THE BLACKSTONE BRAND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. FROM CONSISTENTLY CREATING AUTHENTIC CONTENT TO PROUDLY REPRESENTING BLACKSTONE IN EVERY CAMPAIGN AND MOMENT, THEY EMBODIED TRUE BRAND DEDICATION. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE INDIVIDUAL WHO DIDN’T JUST USE BLACKSTONE—THEY LIVED IT, SUPPORTED IT, AND HELPED GROW IT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.
JAKE MILLER
BINGE WORTHY CREATOR
THE MOST BINGE-WORTHY CREATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD RECOGNIZES THE GRIDDLE CREW MEMBER WHOSE CONTENT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO WATCH JUST ONCE, CONSISTENTLY PULLING VIEWERS INTO WATCHING VIDEO AFTER VIDEO. THEIR CREATIVITY, PACING, AND STORYTELLING STYLE MADE THEIR WORK HIGHLY ENGAGING AND HABIT-FORMING FOR AUDIENCES ACROSS PLATFORMS. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE CREATOR WHOSE CONTENT DIDN’T JUST PERFORM WELL—IT KEPT PEOPLE COMING BACK FOR MORE.
adam marks
thrive by the slice
THE THRIVE BY THE SLICE AWARD RECOGNIZES THE GRIDDLE CREW MEMBER WHO DELIVERED THE MOST OUTSTANDING PIZZA CREATIONS ON THE GRIDDLE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. FROM PERFECTLY CRISP CRUSTS TO BOLD, CREATIVE TOPPINGS, THEY CONSISTENTLY RAISED THE BAR FOR WHAT PIZZA CAN BE. THIS AWARD CELEBRATES THE MAKER WHOSE PASSION, PRECISION, AND FLAVOR TURNED EVERY SLICE INTO A STANDOUT MOMENT.