Darryl Neumann, Executive Chef of The Wausau Club, will be honored as the Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year (OROY) at a Wisconsin River Valley Chapter meeting on January 20 at The Wausau Club.

Fellow members of the Wisconsin Restaurant Association's Wisconsin River Valley Chapter named Neumann the OROY winner. The award is given based on success in business, community service and dedication and service to the restaurant industry. The Wisconsin River Valley Chapter is made up of Marathon, Wood, Portage, Waushara and Adams counties.

A 25-year veteran of the foodservice industry, Neumann has been at The Wausau Club for the past 14 years. The Wausau Club is a private club featuring fine dining, catering, banquet facilities and special events. It employs 25 people.

Neumann is closely involved in the Wisconsin River Valley Chapter, having held the offices of Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President and President and serving on the Board of Directors for 16 years. He often participates in association fundraisers such as the Annual Boat Outing, Annual Golf Outing, and has chaired the Annual Taste of Central Wisconsin.

Also active at the state level, Neumann serves on the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Board of Directors where he currently sits on the Legislative Education Council Committee, is a Political Action Committee Trustee, and is Chairman of the Chapter and Local Issues Committee.

Neumann is an enthusiastic promoter of the foodservice industry, speaking at high schools and providing apprenticeships at The Wausau Club.

Also active in the community, Neumann is a Trinity Church Elder and teaches Sunday school. He also participates in Blind Outreach and the Lutheran World Relief Drive.

This is not the first time Neumann has been recognized as Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year. The Wisconsin River Valley Chapter also honored him in 1991.

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