Golden Foodie Awards Honor Top Orange Country Chefs

Images: Golden Foodie Awards | Minerva Thai

A new awards ceremony called Golden Foodie Awards is honoring Orange County’s top chef-driven restaurant. The “people’s choice” awards took place on Sunday at a red-carpet event in Newport Beach’s Fairmont hotel with nearly 400 guests in attendance.

The first Golden Foodie Awards ceremony honored top culinary talent of Orange County, including Yvon Goetz of The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar in Tustin, who won the top honor of the evening, the “Golden Chef” award. Rachel Klemek of Blackmarket Bakery in Irvine won the “Golden Pastry Chef” award. After winning, Klemek thanked her grandmothers for teaching her how to cook and noted her devotion to baking’s key essentials: butter and sugar.

Created by the Orange County Restaurant Association, the Golden Foodie Awards is seen as a way to celebrate the country’s vibrant culinary scene.

In total, approximately 30 awards were handed out in various categories, including “Best Burger”, which went to Crow Burger Kitchen, “Best Pizza”, which was awarded to Il Dolce and “Best Italian Food”, which went to Antonello Ristorante. Forrest Taylor of French 75 was named “Best Mixologist” and culinary student Francis Laureano was named “Next Best Golden Chef”.

According to the Golden Foodie Awards website, the winners were chosen by “the people” and other local foodies who decide who is the best. Those interested can visit the website’s vote page and cast their vote for their favorites.

The event, which took place on September 30 also included food by more than 15 top Orange County restaurants and cocktails, wine and beer. 

Like Haute Living Los Angeles? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @HauteLivingLA. Want Haute Living Los Angeles delivered to your inbox once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.