by tony reverditto
The Golden Foodie Awards (GFA) is one of the most glamorous events in Orange County and is the brainchild of Pamela Waitt (Pam), president and founder. Her calendar is quite full, on top of the Golden Foodies, she also produces Orange County Restaurant Week’s Launch Party and brought to fruition last month’s inaugural Pacific Wine and Food Classic, a hugely successful event.
The GFA’s were created in 2012 to acknowledge, celebrate and honor extraordinary Orange County culinary talent, in categories that include: best chefs, cuisine, mixologists, independent restauranteurs and influencers.
The GFA experience begins as guests arrive on the event’s red carpet, lined with photographers there to capture the start of the gala evening’s experience. Guests then enter the next phase of the party, which highlights the phenomenal cuisine from some of the finest restaurants in Orange County: Urbana, Hook & Spear, Angelina’s, Sol Agave, Taco Rosa, Mix Mix, Moulin, Aveo, Filomena’s, Baja Shellfish, Puesto, Red O, Sadie Rose, Pizzeria Ortica, Waterman’s, Skyloft and Mozambique. Libations include custom cocktails by Maker’s Mark, Patron, Kettle One, with assorted wines flowing through the night.
After indulging in all of the delicacies, guests move into the ballroom for the pièce de résistance; the Golden Foodie Awards Ceremony. The ultimate winners having been voted on by food lovers from around the county and beyond in August, with three nominees in each category.
Tables inside the ballroom will be embellished with various dessert treats, champagne, wines, fab swag bags and many other surprises. Adding to the evening’s fun, the engaging and celebrated culinary writer and Food Network personality, Simon Majumdar, will emcee and lead the GFA once again this year, sharing his wit and charm through all 18 categories. And if that weren’t enough, the evening concludes with a Garden of Eden After Party.
The Rage Monthly caught up with Waitt for the scoop on this year’s gala, now in its sixth year, asking about the latest modifications to the voting categories and what inspired them to change it up? “The new categories have opened it up so that more restaurants can be a part of the event. Leaving cuisine categories out, creates an open playing field for all while elevating the event. After all, this is the Golden Foodie Awards.”
Another big change is a new venue, Waitt explained what was behind the move, “We wanted to upgrade everything about the event and that included its new home, The Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa, which is stunning! We will have the food and drink reception in the rose garden, overlooking a golf course and the ocean, and the venue offers a larger ballroom, for our very chic after party.”
Waitt offered this about the evening’s culmination, provocatively titled the Garden of Eden After Party Lounge. “The hotel has so many gardens and water elements, it felt fitting. Everything will be sexy, with a garden vibe and our drinks are themed and a little naughty. The after party will have multiple lounges, much different than previous years. We’ll have a Maker’s Mark lounge that will have dark furniture and red lighting, the Patron lounge will be green and garden-like and the DCS/Ketel lounge will be outside and feature grilled fruit cocktails.”
She continued, “To add to the fun, we’ll have a Super Sexy PB&J Bar, with handmade nut butters and glorious jams, such as strawberry and thyme. Of course, all of this happening after the awards ceremony…People can continue to have a great time well into the night!”
The Golden Foodie Awards takes place Sunday, September 24, at The Newport Marriott, 900 Newport Center Drive in Newport Beach For tickets and more information, go to goldenfoodieawards.com.
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