{"id":28544,"date":"2018-10-04T08:20:29","date_gmt":"2018-10-04T15:20:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/?p=28544"},"modified":"2018-10-04T08:30:21","modified_gmt":"2018-10-04T15:30:21","slug":"olea-blind-rabbit-and-arc-big-winners-at-the-2018-golden-foodie-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/olea-blind-rabbit-and-arc-big-winners-at-the-2018-golden-foodie-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Olea, Blind Rabbit, and Arc: Big Winners at the 2018 Golden Foodie Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Golden

2018 Golden Foodie Award winners Jamon Harper, Ivan Calderon, Ross Pangilinan and Noah Blom with Talia Samuels. PC: Talia Samuels<\/p><\/div>\n

The\u00a0Golden Foodie Awards<\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s nominees and winners soon!
\n\"Olea<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Nominees & Winners of the 2018 Golden Foodies are:<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Chef of the Year<\/strong>
\nMichael Rossi, The Ranch Restaurant
\nBlake Mellgren, Craft House
\nNoah von Blom, Arc
\nWINNER: Noah von Blom<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Pastry Chef of the Year<\/strong>
\nJamon Harper, Monarch Beach Resort
\nDave Rossi, The Ranch Restaurant
\nElyssa Fournier, Mixed Bakery
\nWINNER: Jamon Harper<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Best Brunch in Orange County<\/strong>
\nTaps Fish House and Brewery
\nMix Mix Kitchen Bar
\nOrange Hill
\nWINNER: Taps Fish House and Brewery<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Rising Star Chef of the Year<\/strong>
\nRoss Pangilinan, Mix Mix Kitchen Bar
\nShachi Mehra, ADYA
\nPeter Lai, The Blind Rabbit<\/p>\n

2018 Favorite Food Influencer in Orange County<\/strong>
\nConnie Aboubakare – OC Comestibles
\nCathy Thomas – Cathy Thomas Cooks
\nEdwin Goei – OCWeekly
\nWINNER: Connie Aboubakare – OC Comestibles<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Connie

Favorite Food Influencer Winner Connie Aboubakare of OC Comestibles. PC: Connie Aboubakare<\/p><\/div>\n

2018 Outstanding Community Service<\/strong>
\nDave Hanna, Hanna\u2019s Restaurant & Bar
\nBruno Serato, Anaheim White House
\nPascal Olhats, Pascal\u2019s
\nWINNER: Dave Hanna, Hanna\u2019s Restaurant & Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Restaurateur of the Year<\/strong>
\nJavier Cuadra
\nRuss Bendel
\nTeresa Razo
\nWINNERS: Javier Cuadra & Teresa Razo<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Best Dessert Menu in Orange County<\/strong>
\nMixed Bakery
\nAVEO Table Bar
\nThe Ranch Restaurant
\nWINNER: The Ranch Restaurant<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Best Entree in Orange County<\/strong>
\nPrime Rib at the Summit House
\nLobster & Garlic Noodles at AnQi
\nCowboy Ribeye at The Ranch
\nWINNER: Prime Rib at the Summit House<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Best Service Award<\/strong>
\nTaco Rosa
\nVine
\nThe Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar
\nWINNER: The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Bartender of the Year<\/strong>
\nLynette Lim, The Blind Rabbit
\nTanner Johnson, Watertable
\nStacy Kelly, Lodge Wood Fired Grill
\nWINNER: Lynette Lim, The Blind Rabbit<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Best cocktails in Orange County<\/strong>
\nThe Blind Rabbit
\nUrbana
\nFarmhouse at Roger’s Gardens
\nWINNER: The Blind Rabbit<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Best wine program in Orange County<\/strong>
\nSelanne Steak Tavern
\nThe Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar
\nNapa Rose
\nWINNER: Selanne Steak Tavern<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Best beer program in Orange County<\/strong>
\nIron Press
\nLido Bottle Works
\nProvisions Market
\nWINNER: Provisions Market<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Best bar program in Orange County<\/strong>
\nThe Blind Rabbit
\nThe Ranch Restaurant Saloon
\nWatertable
\nWINNER: The Blind Rabbit<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Best New Restaurant\u00a0<\/strong>
\nOak Laguna Beach
\nCambalache
\nOlea
\nWINNER: Olea<\/strong><\/p>\n

2018 Best lunch spot in Orange County\u00a0<\/strong>
\nTaco Rosa
\nFarmhouse at Roger’s Gardens
\nSgt Pepperoni
\nWINNER: Taco Rosa<\/strong><\/p>\n

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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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

The event kicked off on the red carpet with heads turning as the talented who\u2019s-who\u00a0made their entrance. Food celebrities such as Simon Majumdar, known as the Food Network\u2019s \u2018toughest critic\u2019 and Master of Ceremonies for the night\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Guests indulged in an overwhelming array of food and drinks in the Rose Garden overlooking the golf course. Incredible culinary stations included: Angelina\u2019s Pizzeria, Filomena\u2019s, Pascal & Baja Shellfish Farms, Mix Mix Kitchen + Bar \/ Terrace by Mix Mix, Legado Bar + Kitchen, Urbana, Haute Productions, Wreckless, AnQi by House of\u00a0An, Cambalache, Villa Roma and Georgia’s. Libations by Sipsmith Gin, Maker\u2019s Mark, Hornitos Tequila, wines by Merryvale and Picket Fence, beer by Towne Park and water by Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

The ballroom was filled with smiles as Simon Majumdar and Neil Saavedra\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach year brings something new and exciting, we are so honored to celebrate our talented and hard working restaurant community,\u201d says Pamela Waitt, creator and producer of the Golden Foodie Awards and President of the OC Restaurant Association Inc.<\/p>\n

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