It was a night of OC decadence, as the cocktails flowed, a bevy of OC’s best bites were devoured and golden foodie statues were up for the taking. The Golden Foodie Awards got underway last night at the Fairmont Newport Beach. The show is like OC’s own Oscars® with the fun of the Golden Globes®.
Food Network personality Simon Majumdar (pictured in the black hat here) was the spirited 2015 master of ceremonies, and OC Mom Magazine’s own Pamela Waitt was producer of the Golden Foodie Awards (she’s also the creator and president of the OC Restaurant Association). Pam, below with GG Bistro’s Hande Gundogar.
Now Pam would never toot her own horn, so let me just do it for her—the night was a wild culinary success. My husband and I had a divine time; we hit the red carpet, found the jokes wry, the food fabulous and the ‘Simon Says’ videos hilarious.
If you ever get a chance to attend the award show, definitely do so. You’ll see many of OC’s top culinary talents and get an idea of just how many foodies there are in Orange County. You’ll also learn about new hot spots to put on your foodie radar.
The luxe afterparty is also a worthy reason to go, as the event went from day to night, and the scene transformed from chill to chic with casino flair.
So how were the winners selected? Local foodies voted for their favorites during the “Golden Dine Out” and he/she with the most votes won. Over 25 categories were hailed and ranged from Best Mexican Food to Best Vegetarian Food to Best Pizza and more.
Some of the big winners included Chef of the Year. Watch as Pam announced the winner… !
And the 2015 Golden Foodie Award Winners Are…
Chef of the Year – Chef Andrew Sutton, Napa Rose
Best Cocktails: The Blind Rabbit
Bartender of the Year 2015: Alex Filkins, Wild Goose Tavern
Best Food Talk Radio: The Fork Report with Neil Saavedra
Best Food Writer: Cathy Thomas
Best Sushi: Hamamori Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Best Dessert: Maro Wood Grill
Best Service Award: Anaheim White House
Best Indian Cuisine: Adya
Best Mexican Cuisine: Taco Maria
Best Italian Cuisine: Brunos Italian Kitchen
Best French Cuisine: Pascal’s San Juan Capistrano
Best Asian Cuisine: AnQi
Best Mediterranean Cuisine: LUCCA
Best Vegetarian Cuisine: Provenance
Best Beer: Haven Gastropub
Best Wine: Selanne Steak Tavern
Best Pizza: Brick Pizzeria
Best Steak: The Ranch Restaurant
Best Burger: Mick’s Karma Bar
Best Californian Cuisine: SOCIAL Costa Mesa
Best Seafood: Scott’s Restaurant and Bar
Best New Restaurant: SOCIAL Costa Mesa
Pastry Chef of the Year: Chef Ashley Guzman
For more on the night’s winners, visit http://www.goldenfoodieawards.com
