The Golden Foodie Awards for Orange County, California (my stomping grounds!) was held Sunday,
Sept. 24, at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa. Simon Majumdar
(“Iron Chef”) served as the event’s Master of Ceremonies. Marcel Vigneron (“Top Chef”) and Aarti Sequeira (“Food Network Star”) were in attendance. Congratulations to the following winners!
Bartender of the Year: Jose Zepeda, Hopscotch Tavern, (Fullerton)
Best Cocktails: Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens (Corona del Mar)
Best Bar Program: The Ranch Restaurant (Anaheim)
Best Lunch Spot: The Original Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza Store (Newport Beach)
Best Brunch: Old Vine Cafe (Costa Mesa)
Best New Restaurant: Mix Mix Kitchen Bar (Santa Ana)
Rising Star Chef of the Year: Chef Manny Velasco, SOL Agave (San Juan Capistrano)
Favorite Food Influencer: Neil Saavedra, The Fork Report
Best Wine Program: The Winery (Newport Beach, Tustin)
Best Beer Program: TAPS Fish House & Brewery (Irvine, Brea)
Outstanding Community Service: Bruno Serato, Anaheim White House (Anaheim)
Restaurant of the Year: Alicia Whitney, Seasalt and Sealegs, (Huntington Beach)
Best Dessert Menu: Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen (Anaheim)
Best Entree: Cowboy Ribeye @ Ranch Restaurant (Anaheim)
Best Service: Selanne Steak Tavern (Laguna Beach)
Pastry Chef of the Year: Elyssa Fournier, Mixed Bakery (Corona del Mar)
Chef of the Year: Rich Mead, Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens (Corona del Mar)
Lifetime Achievement: Alan Greeley
Photo credits:Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, Golden Foodie Awards