At the Saint Paul Hotel, chef Royal earned a DiRoNA Award and was a Four-Diamond winner. During his tenure at California Café, that restaurant was also honored with a DiRoNA Award, as well as praise from Mpls./St. Paul Magazine and a Health Partners Award.

As executive chef at La Toscana Ristorante, Royal established one of the first authentic Italian restaurants in the area. La Toscana was named best Italian restaurant by Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, was awarded Best Wine List by Wine Spectator, was named one of the Best Top-10 New Restaurants by City Pages, was named Hot New Place on the Block in Zagat and was called one of the Twin Cities Best Kitchen Tables by Twin Cities Taste.

During his time at Napa Valley Grille, the restaurant was singled out for Best Service by City Pages, named best restaurant near an airport by Zagat, recommended as the best business lunch by MN Meeting and Event Planner and recognized for Best Wine List by Wine Spectator.