The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB) will begin accepting nominations for the second annual Happy Valley Hospitality Awards on Thursday, Aug. 3, coinciding with Hospitality Appreciation Night at the State College Spikes.

In opening Juana’s Cuisine in downtown State College, owner Ady Martinez wanted to bring more than Venezuelan food and culture to Happy Valley, PA. She wanted to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who walk through the door of the cozy, lively restaurant on Fraser Street.

State College, PA, March 6, 2023 – The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), 3 Dots Downtown and the Downtown State College Improvement District (DSCID) will host a lively evening to celebrate a few standout women from some of downtown State College’s most popular dining establishments and watering holes.

We Are Inn
Owner and Chef Pat Romano is a long-time Penn State super fan who built his Philipsburg inn and restaurant with his family around the theme of the university. His love for his family, career, Penn State, visitors and patrons is evident in all his work, and is one reason he received the inaugural Peter Walker Spirit of Hospitality Award by The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau in fall 2022.

The Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center is lucky to have Judy Karaky as its General Manager. For more than 20 years, Karaky has guided others through the spirit of hospitality, and helped to make the Penn Stater a welcoming place for visitors. She was the inaugural recipient of The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau’s “Excellence in Service, Food & Beverage” award, presented at a special ceremony this past November.

Lyndsey Greenland, General Manager of Rolling Rails Lodge, is the recipient of the 2022 Happy Valley Hospitality Excellence in Lodging Leadership award.

Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology (CPI) culinary arts student Lucas Hackney has big plans for his future. The 17-year-old, who also attends Bellefonte Area High School, will follow his dream of owning his own field-to-fork restaurant one day by studying the culinary arts at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

When Greg Franklin was looking for the right opportunity before making his move from New Orleans to State College to be with his girlfriend who is pursuing her PhD at Penn State, he never imagined he’d find a dream career before he moved.

Seasoned hospitality veteran Becky Burger is the General Manager at the Allen Street Grill in downtown State College. With 40 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality business (19 of them with the Allen Street Grill), Burger feels she can truly make a difference by treating staff and customers with compassion and care. Years ago, she was nicknamed “Momma Bear” by her team, and she feels it has been a fitting title... her door is always open to council, to mentor, to encourage.