We are humbled and honored to share that The Refectory and owner Kamal Boulos were recently inducted into the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance Hall of Fame — a recognition reserved for industry leaders who have demonstrated enduring excellence and meaningful contribution to Ohio’s hospitality community.

The Columbus Business Journals covered the event in a recent article, highlighting the restaurants and restaurateurs added to the Hall of Fame this year, including The Refectory and fellow Columbus favorite Schmidt’s Sausage Haus. You can read the full article here:
👉 https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/12/12/refectory-schmidts-hall-fame-restaurant-alliance.html

This award celebrates not just longevity, but leadership. To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, recipients must have operated in Ohio for at least 25 years and upheld a legacy of service, innovation, and community impact.

At the award ceremony, representatives from the Ohio Restaurant & Hospitality Alliance shared:

“These inductees have devoted a lifetime to upholding our industry’s core values while inspiring the next generation of hospitality champions.”

Kamal was recognized not only for The Refectory’s long history — including its distinctive French-inspired cuisine and a wine cellar that has earned the prestigious Wine Spectator Grand Award — but also for the restaurant’s commitment to community through ongoing support of hundreds of nonprofit organizations across central Ohio.

This honor is especially meaningful as we approach The Refectory’s 50th Anniversary in 2026 — a milestone built on decades of memorable meals, celebrations, and deep community connections. We are deeply grateful to our guests, staff (past and present), mentors, and partners for being part of this journey.

Here’s to the next 50 years!