Over 200 guests were in attendance at the Golden Fork Awards at Walking Tree Brewery on Monday night. The event, sponsored by Como Oil and Propane, Vero Beach Foodie, Vero Vine, and The Geoff Moore Show, showcased 12 restaurants from throughout Indian River County.
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The restaurants at this prestigious event were some of Vero Beach’s finest dining locations, chosen by “The Food Guy”, better known as “Vero Beach Foodie.”
Photo courtesy Daisy Burns Photography.
“I was happy that our first-year inaugural was sold out,” Vero Beach Foodie said. Everyone that I talked to had a great time and was asking when we will be doing it again. This will become an annual event every year.”
Each restaurant had a sample of their finest foods for the guests of this event to enjoy and later vote on for a “People’s Choice” award for best restaurant.
“What a great time we had,” said event attendee and Vero local Betty McGannon Starr. “Thanks to all who put this event together, we can’t wait until next year’s awards!”
Restaurants at the event include the following:
- Cobalt
- Sebastian Sandwich Shack
- The Wave
- Green Marlin
- Nino’s – Lakewood Park
- The Crab Stop
- Fire and Wine
- Dinner Revolution
- Mo-Bay Grill
- Riverside Cafe
- Italian Cousin
- The Tides
Photo by Jennifer Stockdale
The Golden Fork Award for Chef of the Year was awarded to Chuck Arnold of Fire and Wine, who graciously accepted the award given by the Vero Beach Foodie. The Golden Fork Award for Restaurant of the Year was Awarded to Dinner Revolution, a Vero Beach restaurant still in its first year of business, but apparently doing something right, as it was also awarded the “People’s Choice,” for the night of the award ceremony. Each guest in attendance was given a tiny golden fork to vote for their favorite restaurant as they gathered around tasting and toasting the food prepared.
Danielle and Nick Haddad, owners of Dinner Revolution, were humbled by the award, and astonished that they won. From speaking with them, it’s clear that a great deal of love and hard work goes into their concept of a local dining hotspot and enjoyment for their patrons.
“From the very start, Dinner Revolution has been a true labor of love,” Danielle Haddad explained. “With the help of our three kids, we dug the trenches for the plumbing, finished the floors, and put in the divider walls, put up siding, primed and painted.”
Photo courtesy Daisy Burns Photography.
Haddad credits her husband and family’s drive to excellence and commitment to their clientele for their winning of both awards received at the Golden Forks. Also, their staff.
“Our small staff is made up of family and friends who make an effort to continually promote the love we have for Vero Beach,” Haddad added.
The Golden Fork Awards were emcee’d by Geoff Moore of The Geoff Moore Show, and musical entertainment was provided by singer and guitarist Donnie Haight.
Photo by Jennifer Stockdale.
I earned my bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Central Florida, and my bachelor's in nursing from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, GA. I certainly embrace my experience as a nurse (and have experience as a firefighter and EMT as well), however my passion has always been in the field of journalism. I thoroughly enjoy writing and making words come to life.
When I'm not behind a computer screen typing or in front of a canvas painting, you can usually find me somewhere near the water with my two kids and my husky, Skye (who also blogs and has her own YouTube).
I think small businesses that are locally-owned and operated are far under appreciated so I support and recommend them whenever I can.
Oh, and I am fueled by sunshine, coffee, and pixie dust.
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