The Tasting Panel magazine

November 2018

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46  /  the tasting panel  /  november 2018 OUT AND ABOUT H eld Sunday, September 30, at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, the seventh annual Golden Foodie Awards Gala welcomed 500 guests to support and recognize the recent achievements of Orange County's culinary and beverage communities. The elegantly dressed attendees began the evening in the Rose Garden, where they indulged in an impressive array of craft cocktails, premium wines, and gourmet bites from some of Orange County's finest restau- rants—many of which were nominees. There, they mingled with industry celebrities like Simon Majumdar of the Food Network; Neil Saavedra of Fork Report on KFI AM 640; Brian Huskey of Top Chef; and radio and television personality Chef Jamie Gwen. In addition to the wine pairings concep- tualized by Merryvale Vineyards and Picket Fence, libations were provided by Sipsmith Gin, Maker's Mark, Hornitos Tequila, and Towne Park Brewery in Anaheim, California. For the awards portion of the night in the ballroom, tables awaited with glorious desserts and luxurious wines by Bouchaine Vineyards. Majumdar and Saavedra kept the crowd ener- gized as co-hosts of the ceremony, and the winners—who were toasted with Champagne by Louis Roederer—were presented with Golden Foodie statues made of pewter and 14-karat gold, as well as engraved commemorative bottles of Maker's Mark. Anaheim's The Blind Rabbit (for more on the bar, see page 40) was presented with two of the biggest awards of the night—Bartender of the Year (Lynette Lim) and Best Cocktails— by Tim Sample, Division Manager for Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, and Leanne Chau, California Publications and Marketing Director for Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits. Organized by the Orange County Restaurant Association, the Golden Foodie Awards benefit the Golden Rule Charity, a nonprofit organization based in Southern California that aims to assist members of the restaurant industry in times of need. "Each year brings something new and exciting," says Pamela Waitt, creator and pro- ducer of the Golden Foodie Awards and President of the OC Restaurant Association. "We are so honored to celebrate our talented and hardwork- ing restaurant community." For more information, visit goldenfoodieawards. com. SOUTHERN GLAZER'S WINE & SPIRITS SPONSORS THE SEVENTH ANNUAL GOLDEN FOODIE AWARDS by Leanne Chau Serving Success The ballroom tables were elaborately decorated for the seventh annual Golden Foodie Awards at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Beach, CA. PHOTO: ED MELLIZA PHOTO: LUIS ESPARZA Pictured at the awards are Leanne Chau of Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits; Ying Chang of The Blind Rabbit; Tim Sample of Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits; and Robert Adamson of The Blind Rabbit. The Blind Rabbit won two of the biggest awards of the night: Bartender of the Year (Lynette Lim) and Best Cocktails. The Food Network's Simon Majumdar and Neil Saavedra of Fork Report on KFI AM 640 toast to the winners with Roederer Estate. PHOTO: LUIS ESPARZA

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