Best of Central Florida Awards Luncheon to Be Held November 18th at Hannibal's

The Orlando Local News' Best of Central Florida annual awards luncheon will be held on November 18, 2022 at Hannibal's in Winter Park at 11:30 AM. A reception will begin at 11 AM.

Awards span a wide range of fields and businesses from government leaders to restaurants and entertainment. In addition, each year two individuals receive the Roger S. Swanson Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their contributions to the community. Former awardees and keynote speakers included former U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, former Congressman John Mica, Mary Demetree, of Demetree Global (in honor of her late father, Bill Demetree) and former US Surgeon General Antonia Novello.

This year's recognition will be award 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, will accept the award for her father. Also receiving the Roger S. Swanson Lifetime Achievement Award is Dick Batchelor, a former State Representative and Presidential Appointee.

Photo: (left to right) Senator Paula Hawkins, Gene Hawkins, Dick Batechlor. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

This year's awards were selected by our Editorial Board, unlike past years. With the selection process concluded, we are pleased to announce winners in each category, found below.

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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

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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

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Roger S. Swanson Lifetime Achievement Award

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 will be award 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, will accept the award for her father. Also receiving the Roger S. Swanson Lifetime Achievement Award is Dick Batchelor, a former State Representative and Presidential Appointee. 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."