Shele Pandl, Jenny and Danny Villalobos at the Best of Luncheon on Friday.
Tina Sanchez/Special to The R-C
One thing that makes the Carson Valley special is its traditions and the 30th Best of Carson Valley celebrated all of those during the annual sold out luncheon on Friday at the Carson Valley Inn.
“We love our traditions here,” said R-C Associate Publisher Tara Addeo. “And one thing I want to say is support local. We rely on each other, our businesses rely on it, our staff rely on it, we all rely on it.”
Supporting local and traditions is what made up the Best of Carson Valley in the first place.
The Best of Carson Valley campaign began in 1995 as a contest in which the public nominates and votes for their favorite businesses, individuals, organizations, and services throughout the community.
The Best of Carson Valley Luncheon was added in 2014 to provide the opportunity for the winners to not only be recognized, but to celebrate together.
During the luncheon Addeo said she enjoyed being out in the community and meeting the business, services, and individuals who make up the Best of Carson Valley ballots.
“I want to be out there, I want to meet you, I want to talk to you, and I want to meet the brand new businesses that made the best of this year, that’s what I love the most,” said Addeo. “I love seeing so many faces that I see every year here, but there’s a lot of new faces too, and I love and appreciate that.”
This year new categories were added to the Best of Carson Valley Ballot including best margarita, which went to Francisco’s Mexican Restaurant. Francisco’s also won best Mexican Restaurant.
“We make our margaritas with love and character,” said Francisco. “There’s really nothing special about it, that’s just how we are. We do everything that way.”
Francisco thanks the community for their continued support for 22 years.
Also in food services, The Grill Next Door won best burger.
The Grill Next Door also won second place for best lunch, third for best sandwich, and third for best Italian food also tying with the Sierra Chef.
With around 500 real estate agents in the Carson Valley, Coldwell Banker Select Real Estate’s Danny Villalobos was voted No. 1 real estate agent.
“With so many, to be number one is a really big deal,” said Addeo.
Villalobos was humbled by the support and nomination.
“I try to be responsive and welcoming,” said Villalobos, “and treat people the way I would want to be treated.”
Coldwell Banker Select received second place for best real estate office with agent Selena Doyle taking third place for best real estate agent and Patty Clark taking third for best commercial real estate agent.
The youngest recipient on Friday was eight year old June Foster who won third place for best cowgirl.
“That’s our future,” said Addeo. “The category doesn’t say how old you have to be to be a cowgirl, and I was certainly not telling her she could not be fearce.”
Foster enjoys taking care of the horses and cows on Cutter Ridge Ranch, where she also rides her horse, Adventure.
Foster’s father Jim Erwin from Shooting Performances Institute took first in best firearms services, and his stepmother Rhonda Moore of Country Financial Insurance took first for best insurance agent.
“We enjoy serving the community and having our family be represented in different ways this year was a great experience for all of us,” said Erwin.
Taylor’s Scissors and Clippers’ Taylor Lynch who is a repeat hair stylist winner amongst others, said she enjoys celebrating at the Best of Carson Valley luncheon and showing support for fellow business owners.
“I love that we get to support each other and that it allows us to give each other a pat on the back and I love seeing all of our local business owners at the luncheon to clap for all of our amazing accomplishments,” she said. This year, Lynch was voted as number one best hairstylist, second for best hair and beauty salon, and second place for best volunteer.
