Jaclyn Leon Cruz, server at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille’s Sanibel location, was honored at this year’s Annual Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards, also known as E Awards. Leon Cruz received honorable mention in the Restaurant category.
The E Awards, produced by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, were presented in six categories: Accommodations, Attractions, Restaurants, Other Services/Businesses, Transportation and Good Samaritan. Nomination criteria involved service satisfaction, leadership, work ethic, job knowledge, performance skills, familiarity with the destination and assistance during an emergency. Generosity, spirit, kindness, passion and performing small acts of support also led to nominations and eventual winners.
“We are so proud of Jaclyn, and she is so deserving of this recognition,” said Joe Harrity, a partner with HM Restaurant Group, the parent company of Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille. “Jaclyn treats all customers with respect and generosity. She embodies Doc Ford’s mission of connecting people with great food, exceptional hospitality and legendary guest experiences.”
Leon Cruz was nominated by a family visiting Sanibel and Doc Ford’s for the first time with their newborn baby boy. Durin their meal, the family experienced a moment of distress when their baby had an accident at the table. Without hesitation, Leon Cruz stepped in, assisting the family with cleaning up while offering comforting reassurance that such things happen, especially with a baby. As a mother herself, Leon Cruz was able to empathize with the family with practical and emotional support, quickly putting them at ease in what could have been an uncomfortable situation. Her quick, compassionate response left a lasting impression on the family, leading to her nomination.
Leon Cruz has worked for Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille for five years.
Renowned for its legendary guest experience, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. with locations on Sanibel Island, Fort Myers Beach, the St. Petersburg Pier and Jungle Terrace in St. Petersburg. Doc Ford’s also offers live music most nights at its Fort Myers Beach and St. Petersburg Pier locations.
Owned and operated by HM Restaurant Group, award-winning Doc Ford’s offers food with a unique balance of flavors inspired by the Caribbean Rim. Beloved for its sauces, spices and signature Yucatan shrimp served daily, it’s highly regarded by locals and visitors alike as a spectacular seafood restaurant. Established on Sanibel in 2003, Doc Ford’s is a perennial Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner. The Pier restaurant was named the county’s No. 1 Best of the Best Restaurants for Everyday Eats in 2023.
Philanthropy and community outreach are engrained in HM Restaurant Group’s company philosophy. Proceeds from specialty cocktails at Doc Ford’s raise money to support children’s hospitals and water quality issues. HM Restaurant Group also supports local nonprofits dedicated to conservation, community and the environment. The “Ding” Darling Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament has raised nearly $1.3 million for Sanibel’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge since 2012. The 13th annual tournament will be held May 9, 2025.
