O.C. BUSINESS PLUS : HEARD ON THE BEAT / RESTAURANTS : Honor for Claim Jumper’s Nickoloff

And while we’re on the subject of awards, Craig Nickoloff, the founder and president of the Irvine-based Claim Jumper restaurant chain, was recently named California’s Restaurateur of the Year by the California Restaurant Assn.’s Educational Foundation.

The award was presented to Nickoloff last month at a gala dinner at the Regal Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. It recognizes restaurateurs who have made a strong impact in the last year through restaurant and menu concepts and through educational or other community activities.

Nickoloff was recognized for supporting such charities and nonprofit organizations as the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home of the West in Lake Forest, which provides independent housing opportunities for adults with disabilities; Joswick Therapeutic Riding Center in San Juan Capistrano, where equine therapy is provided for people with disabilities, and Saddleback Vocational Visions in Mission Viejo, which provides training and job opportunities for people with disabilities.

Nickoloff was selected over two other finalists: Chuck Keagle, founder and CEO of Cask ‘n Cleaver Restaurants and David Cohn, president of the Cohn Restaurant Group.

Claim Jumper operates 23 restaurants throughout California, Arizona, Washington and Colorado.

This is the second major award in recent months for Nickoloff. He is one of six recipients of the 1999 Golden Chain Award, which is considered the restaurant industry’s most prestigious prize.