March 1, 2016 – The envelopes have been opened and we are proud to announce the winners of Edible Monterey Bay’s 2016 Local Heroes awards—as selected in online voting by readers of EMB.
Topping the list as Best Chef/Restaurant is chef Cal Stamenov of Lucia Restaurant at Bernardus Lodge. A pioneer in the use of local ingredients, chef Cal has had tremendous influence on the cuisine of our area since arriving in Carmel Valley 20 years ago. Click here to find out more about what makes him a local hero and click the links below for stories on our other winners. Congratulations to them all!
To learn who all of the heroes are and read more about them, click here
FULL LIST OF 2016 WINNERS:
Best Chef/Restaurant: Cal Stamenov/Lucia Restaurant
Runners up: 2nd place, Brad Briske of La Balena and Il Grillo and 3rd place, Jesse Santillan of The Tap Room
Best Food Purveyor: New Leaf Community Markets
Runners up: 2nd place, Star Market and 3rd place, Staff of Life
Read more…
Best Beverage Artisan: Meg Nelson, The Bench
Runners up: 2nd Place, Katie Blandin Shea, Bar Cart Cocktail Co. and 3rd place, Anthony Vitacca, Montrio Bistro
Read more…
Best Farm/Farmer: Tom Broz, Live Earth Farm
Runners up: 2nd place, Rt. 1 Farms and 3rd place, Serendipity Farms
Read more…
Best Non-Profit: Homeless Garden Project
Runners up: 2nd place, Live Earth Farm’s Discovery Program and 3rd place, MEarth
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Best Pastry Chef: Anastasia Simpson, Inn at Spanish Bay
Runners up: 2nd place, Ben Spungin, CLM/Restaurant 1833 and 3rd place, Parker Lusseau
Best Food Artisan: Quail Hollow Kitchens
Runners up: 2nd place, Friend in Cheeses Jam Co. and 3rd place, tie: Happy Girl Kitchen Co. and The Penny Ice Creamery
Read more…
About the author
At Edible Monterey Bay, our mission is to celebrate the local food culture of Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties, season by season. We believe in sustainability, and we believe everyone has a right to healthful, clean and affordable food. We think knowing where our food comes from is powerful, and we hope our magazine, website and newsletters inspire readers to get to know and support our local growers, fishers, chefs, vintners and food artisans.
