Best of the Best Honored

Jun 21, 2022 12:00AM ● By Story and photos by Susan Maxwell Skinner

Businesses and organizations celebrated victories at the 2022 Best of Carmichael event. Results were announced during an awards dinner at Mission Oaks Community Center. The annual contest is sponsored by the Carmichael Times and Carmichael Chamber of Commerce.

Best of the Best Honored [5 Images] Click Any Image To Expand

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - More than 7000 voters have decided the top businesses and services in Carmichael. After weeks of voting, winners were announced at the Best of Carmichael awards dinner last weekend.

An occasion for business people to let down hair, the gala adopted tropical theme. Guests were treated to ukulele music, exotic cocktails and desserts by auction. A chocolate and raspberry confection whipped up by Heidi Green raised a final bid of $300. A nine-layer chocolate cake from Claim Jumper Restaurant claimed $250. The hammer also fell on pies, cookies and a vegan recipe cake.

Almost 150 candidates and supporters packed the Mission Oaks Community Center. Winning envelopes were torn open Oscar-style. While nobody got face-smacked, back-slapping and cheering were victors’ dues.

Some organizations won twice: Effie Yeaw Nature Center netted Best Non-Profit and for Best Place to Visit; Katie Pexa’s business took dual awards: Best Insurance Agency and Best Residential Service.

Auto shops were revved up contenders: American Eagle Body Shop and Wrench Rat Automotive tied for Best Body Repair. A single-vote difference won the Buck Family’s Best Auto Repair award.

Among 30 categories, restaurants attracted most competition. Best Pizza was delivered to Mark and Monica’s; Hagen’s Orange Freeze squeezed Best Fast-Food honors. Skip’s Kitchen won Best Restaurant and River City Brewery was voted Best Bar and Pub "' the brewery also scored most overall support with 601 voters in its favor.

Incapacitated by a car accident, I Love Pie Bakeshop owner Diana Shockey was cheered in absentia as Best Dessert Shop winner. A bespoke apple pie from Shockley’s oven sold for a $200 bid. Top silent auction earner was a Wine Country getaway, closing at $800.

For the fifth time, Carmichael Presbyterian collected Best Church laurels. Another perennial winner, Bel Air Market, has snagged best Grocery Store every year since 2017.

Nearly 400 local businesses were nominated this year and 387 people cast a total of 7125 votes. This figure reflects almost doubled participation over the 2021 competition, whose results were announced virtually due to COVID restrictions. Votes were tallied by Ryan Griffith of Voter Fly.

Awards dinner sponsors include Assemblyman Ken Cooley, SMUD and Dignity Health.

Full Best of Carmichael results are as follows:

Best Accounting & Tax Service: Tiffany Detinne, CPA.

Best Auto Body Repair (tied): American Eagle Body Shop; Wrench Rat Automotive.

Best Auto Repair/Service: Buck Family Automotive.

Best Bank/Credit Union: Golden 1 Credit Union (Carmichael).

Best Bar/Pub: River City Brewing Company.

Best Barber/Beauty Salon: Twisted Scissors Salon & Boutique

Best Carmichael School: Nature's Lab School.

Best House of Worship: Carmichael Presbyterian Church

Best Coffee/Coffee Shop: Fast Cat

Best Contractors/Residential Services: Katie Pexa Insurance (Farmers Insurance).