Salt Lake City airport, restaurant garner big awards for service

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau has awarded its highest honor, the Tourism Achievement Award, to Cucina Toscana restaurant owner Valter Nassi and the Salt Lake City Department of Airports.

The award is designed to honor those who put forth an outstanding effort in serving the large tourism community of Salt Lake County.

Nassi, who was born in Monte san Savino, Italy, has worked in restaurants across the world from London to Nairobi.

"Valter is a man who is doing what he was put on this planet to do … be a restaurateur," said Scott Beck, president and chief executive of the bureau. "Since coming to Salt Lake, Valter has championed our city like no other individual."

Cucina Toscana Restaurant is located at 307 Pierpoint Ave.

The Salt Lake City International Airport has been known for being one of the nation's most on-time airports, serving about 20 million passengers per year and eight air carriers, including Delta Air Lines.

"The Salt Lake City Department of Airports is an essential hospitality partner, championing Salt Lake as the perfect destination for recreation, tourism and conventions," Beck said.

The awards were handed out Thursday during the bureau's second-quarter board meeting.

— Daniel Ng