2018 Golden Foodie Award winners Jamon Harper, Ivan Calderon, Ross Pangilinan and Noah Blom with Talia Samuels. PC: Talia Samuels
The Golden Foodie Awards are a “People’s Choice” Food Award created by Pamela Waitt, President of the Orange County Restaurant Association, to honor extraordinary culinary talent in Orange County. The Golden Foodies Awards launched in 2012 and harnesses the collective power of Orange County’s food-loving community to recognize local excellence and celebrate with an extravagant red carpet gala event. Food lovers around the county vote during the month of August with winners announced at The Golden Foodie Awards Gala.
The Golden Foodie Awards honors chef-driven independent concepts. For a chef-driven, multiple unit/chain restaurant concept to qualify for a Golden Foodie Award Nomination the entity must have no more than a maximum of 3 units in the United States operating under the same name with a similar menu. Nominations open in August, followed by a two-week period for voters to cast votes recognizing their choices of outstanding restaurants in 17 categories.
Please join me as we honor some of the very best on the culinary scene in Orange County, and make it a point to visit this year’s nominees and winners soon!
Nominees & Winners of the 2018 Golden Foodies are:
2018 Chef of the Year
Michael Rossi, The Ranch Restaurant
Blake Mellgren, Craft House
Noah von Blom, Arc
WINNER: Noah von Blom
2018 Pastry Chef of the Year
Jamon Harper, Monarch Beach Resort
Dave Rossi, The Ranch Restaurant
Elyssa Fournier, Mixed Bakery
WINNER: Jamon Harper
2018 Best Brunch in Orange County
Taps Fish House and Brewery
Mix Mix Kitchen Bar
Orange Hill
WINNER: Taps Fish House and Brewery
2018 Rising Star Chef of the Year
Ross Pangilinan, Mix Mix Kitchen Bar
Shachi Mehra, ADYA
Peter Lai, The Blind Rabbit
2018 Favorite Food Influencer in Orange County
Connie Aboubakare – OC Comestibles
Cathy Thomas – Cathy Thomas Cooks
Edwin Goei – OCWeekly
WINNER: Connie Aboubakare – OC Comestibles
Favorite Food Influencer Winner Connie Aboubakare of OC Comestibles. PC: Connie Aboubakare
2018 Outstanding Community Service
Dave Hanna, Hanna’s Restaurant & Bar
Bruno Serato, Anaheim White House
Pascal Olhats, Pascal’s
WINNER: Dave Hanna, Hanna’s Restaurant & Bar
2018 Restaurateur of the Year
Javier Cuadra
Russ Bendel
Teresa Razo
WINNERS: Javier Cuadra & Teresa Razo
2018 Best Dessert Menu in Orange County
Mixed Bakery
AVEO Table Bar
The Ranch Restaurant
WINNER: The Ranch Restaurant
2018 Best Entree in Orange County
Prime Rib at the Summit House
Lobster & Garlic Noodles at AnQi
Cowboy Ribeye at The Ranch
WINNER: Prime Rib at the Summit House
2018 Best Service Award
Taco Rosa
Vine
The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar
WINNER: The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar
2018 Bartender of the Year
Lynette Lim, The Blind Rabbit
Tanner Johnson, Watertable
Stacy Kelly, Lodge Wood Fired Grill
WINNER: Lynette Lim, The Blind Rabbit
2018 Best cocktails in Orange County
The Blind Rabbit
Urbana
Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens
WINNER: The Blind Rabbit
2018 Best wine program in Orange County
Selanne Steak Tavern
The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar
Napa Rose
WINNER: Selanne Steak Tavern
2018 Best beer program in Orange County
Iron Press
Lido Bottle Works
Provisions Market
WINNER: Provisions Market
2018 Best bar program in Orange County
The Blind Rabbit
The Ranch Restaurant Saloon
Watertable
WINNER: The Blind Rabbit
2018 Best New Restaurant
Oak Laguna Beach
Cambalache
Olea
WINNER: Olea
2018 Best lunch spot in Orange County
Taco Rosa
Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens
Sgt Pepperoni
WINNER: Taco Rosa
The 2018 Golden Foodie Awards Gala was a night to remember as it celebrated the outstanding achievement of local culinary talent on Sunday, September 30th at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa. The sold-out event played host to Orange County’s culinary elite who sipped on spectacular cocktails and scrumptious food. The red carpet affair awarded Golden Foodie Statues made out of pewter and plated in 14K Gold to the winners.
The event kicked off on the red carpet with heads turning as the talented who’s-who made their entrance. Food celebrities such as Simon Majumdar, known as the Food Network’s ‘toughest critic’ and Master of Ceremonies for the night’s event, Neil Saavedra, of The Fork Report on KFI AM 640, Top Chef Brian Huskey, Master Sommelier Michael Jordan, Radio & TV Personality Chef Jamie Gwen and many more.
Guests indulged in an overwhelming array of food and drinks in the Rose Garden overlooking the golf course. Incredible culinary stations included: Angelina’s Pizzeria, Filomena’s, Pascal & Baja Shellfish Farms, Mix Mix Kitchen + Bar / Terrace by Mix Mix, Legado Bar + Kitchen, Urbana, Haute Productions, Wreckless, AnQi by House of An, Cambalache, Villa Roma and Georgia’s. Libations by Sipsmith Gin, Maker’s Mark, Hornitos Tequila, wines by Merryvale and Picket Fence, beer by Towne Park and water by Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino.
The doors to the ballroom opened to reveal a fresh new Golden Foodie Awards stage, with a clean sophisticated style. Ballroom tables were beautifully decorated with edible art: Champagne by Roederer, family style cheese and fruit platter brimming with fresh grapes, strawberries, seasonal produce and an assortment of premium cheese and nuts from Melissa’s Produce, Handcrafted Fresh Baked Bread by OC Baking Co., Golden Shortbread Sticks by Mixed Bakery, Dark Chocolate Madeleines by Sweet Surrender Specialty Desserts and Pastries and a variety of Mini Donuts by Miss Mini Donuts. Bouchaine Vineyards provided the wine, which flowed freely throughout the festivities.
The ballroom was filled with smiles as Simon Majumdar and Neil Saavedra’s banter warmed the crowd. Celebrity guests, top chefs, and food industry icons presented awards in 17 categories of culinary excellence. All winners took home prizes including the Golden Foodie Statue. For the first time ever, the Golden Foodie Awards had a tie between to nominees! Restaurant of the Year Winners Teresa Razo and Javier Cuadra, shared the win with tears and cheers.
The extravagant evening ended in style as guests left the ballroom and into a club style after party. Each room featured a different spirit and vibe with delicious hand-crafted cocktails. Sipsmith Gin lounge, Maker’s Mark saloon, and Hornitos Tequila Garden inspired guests to try each specialty cocktail. BXCR Wine Bar featured an amazing array of bites including Applewood Smoked Duck Rillettes, pickled veggie, Drea’s White Wine Mustard and an Artisan Cheese + Charcuterie Spread of epic proportions. Cheesemonger curated cheeses from Beemster Cheese, Cypress Grove & Grafton – served with house-made accouterments. Guests, celebrities, and winners celebrated a beautiful Autumn evening with fun tunes.
“Each year brings something new and exciting, we are so honored to celebrate our talented and hard working restaurant community,” says Pamela Waitt, creator and producer of the Golden Foodie Awards and President of the OC Restaurant Association Inc.
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