TOURISM HONORS LAMBERT

The late Norman Lambert's "throwed-rolls" fame has given him a place in the Missouri Travel and Tourism Hall of Fame.

Steve McPheeters, executive director of the Sikeston Area Chamber of Commerce, accepted the Hall of Fame award on behalf of the Lambert family, which operates Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston.

The award was presented at ceremonies in Jefferson City during the Missouri Governor's Conference on Tourism this week.

"This award was the highlight of the conference," said McPheeters.

The award cited Lambert for his outstanding contribution to the tourism industry. It said his unique and creative ability brought honor to his state and community.

Sikeston is the home of Lambert's Restaurant, known nationwide as the "Home of Throwed Rolls."

Lambert and the restaurant was nominated for tourism's top award by the Sikeston Chamber of Commerce.

"This cafe is one of the top tourist attractions in the whole state," said McPheeters. "The Missouri tourism industry recognized that Lambert brought travelers to Missouri from all over the U.S. and the world."

The Hall of Fame honor is reserved for individuals and businesses that have been active in tourism for many years and have made substantial contributions to the state's $10 billion tourism industry.

Said McPheeters: "The cafe and Norman Lambert have been longtime contributors to the Sikeston and Miner economy. They have brought a lot of attention to a small, Missouri town."

Lambert's Cafe has been in Sikeston for more than 50 years, but it wasn't until 1976 that the first roll was thrown.

Agnes and Earl Lambert opened the cafe March 13, 1942, on South Main Street in Sikeston. It remained there for almost 40 years, moving into the larger War Drum Restaurant building on East Malone Street in 1981. The restaurant moved to 2525 E. Malone in June 1988.

Norman Lambert, a coach and teacher in the Sikeston school system, took over the restaurant when his father died.

The first throwed roll is recalled in a booklet prepared on the history of the restaurant. It was May 26, 1976, and the old restaurant on South Main Street was crowded when a patron asked for another roll.

"Just throw it," the patron said. Norman Lambert tossed the roll. The rest is history.

Lambert's Cafe bakes an average of 600 dozen rolls a day for its operation at Sikeston, That's more than 2 million a year.

In 1994, Lambert opened a second restaurant at Ozark, north of Branson. A third restaurant opened in Gulf Shores, Ala., in 1996. Lambert's son Scott operates the Alabama restaurant and a son Ben runs the Ozark restaurant.

Lambert's widow, Patty, is involved in all three operations.

A ceremony will be scheduled to present the Hall of Fame award to members of the Lambert family and restaurant employees.

Previous Hall of Fame award-winners include Silver Dollar City at Branson, Meramec Caverns and Six Flags over Mid America. An individual winner in 1992 was Lyn Muzzy, who was then director of the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau.