Best of Central Florida 2022 Hosted by Orlando Local News in Winter Park

Political leaders and entrepreneurs of all stripes gathered for the Orlando Local News' Best of Central Florida awards luncheon on November 18, 2022 at Hannibal's in Winter Park at 11:00 AM.

The order of events included a reception, awards to local businesses and outstanding citizens, as well as keynote speeches by Roger S. Swanson Lifetime Achievement Award winners and their representatives.

The publication established the Lifetime Achievement Award as a means to honor the legacy of Roger S. Swanson, founding Editor of The Local News, by highlighting the momentous lifetime achievements of extradordinary men and women in our community.

This year's recognition was awarded to Gene Hawkins, for a lifetime of service to his community, family, and nation, along with his late wife, Florida's first female Senator, Paula Hawkins. Genean McKinnon, daughter of Gene Hawkins, accepted the award for her father who is soon turning 99 years old.

Dick Batchelor, a former State Representative and Presidential Appointee, also received the Roger S. Swanson Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifetime of service to the community, state and country. Dick Batchelor is president of Dick Batchelor Management Group, Inc., a management consulting firm that specializes in business development, strategic governmental affairs and public policy issues. He has been featured numerous times as one of the "50 Most Powerful People in Orlando."

Awards were presented by Editor Marshall Swanson and Business Director Francisco Gonzalez.

GALLERY: Best of Central Florida 2022 - The Orlando Local News

Winners of the general awards ceremony were selected from the following categories:

Fine Dining

Top 3 Orlando Fine Dining Restaurants:

Best Fine Dining Italian Restaurant: Armando's

Best American Fine Dining: Chatham's Place*

Best Steakhouse: Backroom Steakhouse in Apopka

Casual Dining and Lounges

Best Pub: Fiddler's Green

Best Lounge/Bar: Cafe-Boutique Piano

• Runner Ups: Mather's Social Gathering

Best Cafe: White Wolf Cafe

• Runner Up: George's Cafe 

Best Diner: Linda's Winter Park Diner

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant: Cedars

Best German Restaurant: Hollerbach's Willowtree Cafe

Best Casual Mexican Restaurant: Habanero's Mexican Restaurant

Best French Restaurant: Hannibal's

Best BBQ: Pig Floyds 

• Runner Up: Yellow Dog Eats

Best Burger: Beth's Burger Bar

Best Cigar Lounge: Cigarz On the Avenue

• Runner Up: Admiral Cigar Lounge

Best German Band: Jimmy and Eckhard

Best Central Florida Pianist: Bob Rose

Best Accordionist: Dariusz Grabowski

Best Big Band: The Buzzcatz Orlando Wedding Band

*Reservations Recommended

.

Museums and Recreation

Best Art Museum: Mennello Museum of Art

• Runner Up: Morse Museum

Best Transportation Museum: Winter Garden Rail Museum

Best Catholic Church: St. James Catholic Church

Best Protestant Church: First Orlando

Best City Center: Winter Park

Best Spiritual Retreat: Cassadaga, Florida

Best Movie Theater: Enzian Theater

Best Chain of Lakes: Winter Park Chain of Lakes

• Runner Up: Butler Chain of Lakes

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Goods & Services

Excellence in Medical Care Award: Jeff Beattie

Best Tennis Coach: Luke Russo

Internet Marketing and Graphic Design: Ronnie, Affee, Yuppify

Hair: Finer Cuts

Best in Debt Relief: Landmark Legal, Michael Rogers

Best Construction Law Firm: Sasso & Sasso PA

Legal Excellence Award: McLeod Law Firm

Excellence in Government Consulting: Michael McLean

Best Haberdashery: John Craig and Current

Best Boutique Real Estate Firm: Julian Properties

Best Jeweler: Aldo's Fine Jewelry

Best in Real Estate and Development: Demetree Global

Best IV Lounge: The IV Lounge

Best Title Company: Loew & Loew of Winter Park

Best Dermatologist: Dr. Matthew Knight

Best in Financial Investment: Victor Zollo - Race, DePrince, and Zollo

Best in Design and Architecture: Santiago Fernandez, Third Voyage

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Media and Politics

Best Federal Elected Official: Senator Rick Scott

Best Local Leader: Mark Busch, Casselberry Commissioner

Excellence in Political Journalism/Activism: Jacob Engels

Best in Photo-journalism: Leland McKee

Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism: Marla Weech

Best Florida Innovator: Emmett Imani

Best in Philanthropy: Tim McKinney

Best Cartoonist: Robert Smith

Legislative Excellence Award: State Rep. Scott Plakon

Civility in Politics Award: Rusty Roberts

Best in Government Affairs: Dick Batchelor

Outstanding Party Leader Award: Charles Hart

Best in Political Action: Gregory Fournier, CFBGA (Citizens for Better Government Acountability PAC)

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Awards and Recognitions

Rising Entrepreneur Award: Jon Wilsman

Entrepreneurial Innovation Award: Francisco Gonzalez, Agents of Innovation

Health Charity: Hemophilia Foundation of Central FL

Entrepreneurial Spirit: The "Lab" (Central FL)

God and Country Award: Carolina Amesty, Central Christian University

Educational Hero Award: Sarah Sprinkel

Woman of the Year: Bonnie Jackson

American Dreamer Award: Chuck Nadd

Excellence in Music Award: Chris Gonzalez, Orlando Music Live

Central Florida's Finest Award: Ethan Fournier, Osceola County Sherriff's Office