Diners found these chefs golden
When the last crumb of white chocolate chip cookies had been eaten, the final sip of Pommery Champagne indulged, Zov Karamardian was named Orange County’s chef of the year.
The veteran restaurateur, who opened her first of several Mediterranean restaurants in Tustin nearly 30 years ago, received the distinction at the increasingly high-profile Golden Foodie Awards.
She kept her acceptance speech toward the end of the 90-minute ceremony as short as an aperitif, thanking the audience for the honor.
The Sept. 25 event at the Fairmont Newport Beach, which was sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, also marked a milestone: five years recognizing the best culinary stars at independently owned O.C. restaurants.
But before chefs, restaurateurs and food and wine connoisseurs walked a red carpet and gathered in a ballroom under a tiered crystal chandelier, they depended on food enthusiasts to cast votes for their favorites online in various categories.
This tradition makes Golden Foodies the People’s Choice of food awards, said Pamela Waitt, who created and co-produced the ceremony with Tricia Cook.
Culinary writer and Food Network television personality Simon Majumdar led the ceremony and bestowed the 14-karat gold statues on 24 winners in categories that included beer selection, service and influence.
Upon winning a category, many chefs reflected on the hard work, dedication and craft they continue to pursue in their culinary careers.
During his acceptance speech for Pastry Chef of the Year, Jorge Sotelo of the Napa Rosein Anaheim spoke about living in a garage when he immigrated from Mexico 30 years ago.
Today, a car sits in that garage, he said.
Others spoke about the importance of teamwork and encouraged fellow chefs to help each other in the culinary industry as it only benefits the Orange County dining scene.
“Offer advice to each other because this industry is tough,” said chef Geeta Bansal, who won Best Indian Cuisine for her Irvine-based restaurant Clay Oven. “Your friends are your companions in this industry, and we must stand up and assist each other.”
Here are the winners of the 2016 Golden Foodie Awards:
Best American Cuisine: The Ranch Restaurant (Anaheim)
Best Mexican Cuisine: Urbana (Anaheim)
Best Vegetarian Cuisine: Provenance (Newport Beach)
Best Pizza: Rance’s Chicago Pizza (Costa Mesa)
Best Italian Cuisine: Pizzeria Ortica (Costa Mesa)
Best French Cuisine: Moulin Bistro (Newport Beach)
Best Indian Cuisine: Clay Oven (Irvine)
Best Food Influencer: “Grub Tribe”
Best Beer Selection: Hopscotch Tavern (Fullerton)
Best Burger: Burger Parlor (Fullerton)
Best Californian Cuisine: SeaLegs Wine Bar (Huntington Beach)
Best Mediterranean Cuisine: Rosine’s Mediterranean (Anaheim)
Best Seafood: Waterman’s Harbor (Dana Point)
Best Service Award: Villa Roma (Laguna Hills)
Best New Restaurant: Ironwood (Laguna Hills)
Best Dessert: AnQi (Costa Mesa)
Best Steak: Selanne Steak Tavern (Laguna Beach)
Best Asian Cuisine: Starfish (Laguna Beach)
Best Sushi: Bluefin (Newport Beach)
Best Wine List: The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar (Newport Beach)
Best Cocktails: Macallans Public House (Brea)
Bartender of the Year: Gabe Whorley (Ironwood, Laguna Hills)
Pastry Chef of the Year: Jorge Sotelo (Napa Rose, Anaheim)
Chef of the Year: Zov Karamardian (Zov’s)
Twitter: @KathleenLuppi
