Awards in two dozen food categories were presented by the OC Restaurant Association to restaurants throughout the county at the fifth annual Golden Foodie Awards, held on Sunday, Sept. 25 at the Fairmont Newport Beach.
Golden Foodie Awards are for Independent and/or Chef driven restaurants located in Orange County.
Here’s the list of nominees, with the winner of each category in bold. Congratulations to Newport Beach winners Moulin, Provenance, The Winery and Bluefin.
BEST AMERICAN CUISINE
- THE RANCH
- 370 COMMON
- SOCIAL COSTA MESA
Presenting the award: Chef Ashley Guzman and Chef Alan Greeley
BEST MEXICAN CUISINE
- COYOTE GRILL
- URBANA
- SOLITA
Presenting the award: Marcel Vigneron and Judy Walker
BEST VEGETARIAN CUISINE
- FALASOPHY
- MEAD’S GREEN DOOR CAFE
- PROVENANCE
Presenting the award: Marcel Vigneron and Judy Walker
BARTENDER OF THE YEAR
- GABE WHORLEY – IRONWOOD
- DAVID VALIANTE – SOCIAL COSTA MESA
- JOSE ZEPEDA – HOPSCOTCH TAVERN
Presenting the award: Tim Sample & Stephen Didsbury
BEST PIZZA
- ANGELINA’S PIZZERIA
- TJ’S WOODFIRE PIZZA
- RANCES CHICAGO PIZZA
Presenting the award: Stacy Zeller and Tony Reverditto
BEST ITALIAN FOOD
- ANTONELLO RISTORANTE
- PREGO RISTORANTE
- PIZZERIA ORTICA
Presenting the award: Stacy Zeller and Tony Reverditto
BEST FRENCH CUISINE
- MOULIN BISTRO
- PASCAL’S
- BISTRO BLEU
Presenting the award: Karl Kruger and Danica Dias
BEST INDIAN CUISINE
- ROYAL KHYBER
- CLAY OVEN
- NATRAJ CUISINE OF INDIA
Presenting the award: Karl Kruger and Danica Dias
2016 CHEF OF THE YEAR
- CHEF MARK MCDONALD – OLD VINE CAFE
- CHEF ZOV KARAMARDIAN – ZOV’S
- CHEF CARLOS SALGADO – TACO MARIA
Presenting the award: Chef Michael Rossi & Chef Andrew Sutton
2016 PASTRY CHEF OF THE YEAR
- CHEF JORGE SOTELO – NAPA ROSE
- CHEF ASHLEY GUZMAN – IRENIA
- CHEF AMELIA MARNEAU – MARCHE MODERNE
Presenting the award: Chef Rachel Klemek & Karen Diedrich
BEST FOOD INFLUENCER
- OC COMESTIBLES
- GRUB TRIBE
- THE FORK REPORT
Presenting the award: Andrew Harris and Cathy Thomas
BEST BURGER
- BURGER PARLOR
- MICK’S KARMA BAR
- 25 DEGREES
Presenting the award: Anna Grieco & Ashley Richardson
BEST BEER SELECTION
- HOPSCOTCH TAVERN
- PROVISIONS MARKET
- GRITS FULLERTON
Presenting the award: Chef Chris Tzorin and Chef Pacal Olhats
BEST MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE
- ROSINE’S
- D’VINE
- KENTRO GREEK KITCHEN
Presenting the award: Neil Saavedra & Aarti Sequeira
BEST CALIFORNIAN CUISINE
- NAPA ROSE
- SEALEGS
- DRIFTWOOD KITCHEN
Presenting the award: Neil Saavedra & Aarti Sequeira
BEST SEAFOOD
- BLUEWATER GRILL
- WATERMAN’S HARBOR
- THE RANCH RESTAURANT
Presenting the award: Stan Frazier & Chef Geeta Bansal
BEST SERVICE AWARD
- VILLA ROMA
- THE WINERY RESTAURANT & WINE BAR
- THE HOBBIT
Presenting the award: Bill Beedie and Penny Davidi
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
- SEA SALT
- IRON WOOD
- VACA
Presenting the award: Wing Lam and Stephane Bombet
BEST DESSERT
- MIXED BAKERY
- CUCINA ENOTECA
- ANQI
Presenting the award: Wing Lam and Stephane Bombet
BEST STEAK
- SELANNE STEAK TAVERN
- THE RANCH
- HANNA’S
Presenting the award: Koire Rogers & David Valiante
BEST WINE LIST
- THE RANCH
- THE WINERY RESTAURANT AND WINE BAR
- CUCINA ENOTECA
Presenting the award: Michael Jordon and Charlie Plummer
BEST COCKTAILS
- ARC
- HOPSCOTCH
- MACALLANS
Presenting the award: Nick Ortega & Jennifer Muenzenmayer
BEST ASIAN CUSINE
- STARFISH
- ANQI
- KRAVE CONTEMPORARY ASIAN FUSION
Presenting the award: Dennis Kuhl & Greer Wylder
BEST SUSHI
- BLUEFIN
- HAMAMORI
- TEN ASIAN BISTRO
Presenting the award: Dennis Kuhl & Greer Wylder
