Father-son team win big at Best of the Valley Restaurant Awards

Saizon was the people’s winner, and a father-son duo made a splash at the Best of the Valley Restaurant Awards last week, recognizing the area’s culinary standouts for 2024.

The California Restaurant Association Fresno Chapter recognizes top restaurants, breweries, wineries and even food suppliers each year in 40 categories.

The People’s Choice award for the night went to Saizon, the eatery at Shepherd and Willow avenues that opened in late 2022 billed as “Napa Valley meeting Mexico City. The ownership group behind Saizon also operate Heirloom, Butterfish and Mayd Modern Mediterranean.

It was a big night for the Everks. Lewis Everk won in the “New on the Scene” category for The Woodward American Grill , the brunch and dinner spot he opened at the RiverView Shopping Center about a year ago. Everk also owns Vyxn Restaurant & Lounge and the Jugo Salad & Juice Bar in Clovis.

Everk’s son Devin Everk, 29, also received a Best of the Valley award in the category of Rising Star. Devin Everk said in an Instagram post that his father started teaching him about the hospitality industry at age 5.

“This is a dream come true. This recognition is not just a testament to our hard work, but to the incredible team and community that has supported us every step of the way,” Devin Everk wrote on social media, sharing the spotlight with the Everk Hospitality Group.

The full list of winners for the 2024 Best of the Valley Restaurant Awards, held April 8 at Table Mountain Casino Resort:

Lifetime Achievement Award
Robert Smittcamp

Hall of Fame Inductees
Roy Harland
Joseph Johnson

Best Fast Casual
Hummus Republic

Best Family Dining
Batter Up Pancakes

Best Fine Dining
The Annex Kitchen

Best Watering Hole
Elbow Room

Best Food Truck
Senor Aji Peruvian Kitchen

Best Banquet/Catering Services
Pardini’s Catering & Banquets

Best Hotel/Casino Dining
Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino

Best Outdoor Dining
School House Restaurant & Tavern

Best Breakfast
Batter Up Pancakes

Best Pizza
99 Craft Pizza

Best Sushi
Yoshino’s Japanese Restaurant

Best Steak
Yosemite Ranch – Steak, Fish, Bar

Best Burger
In-N-Out Burger

Best Deli
Piemonte’s Italian Delicatessen

Best BBQ
Dog House Grill

Best Sweet Treats
YAVA Bakery

Best Local Winery
CRU Winery

Best Local Coffee Shop
Two Cities Coffee Roasters

Best Craft Cocktail
Mochuelo

Best Local Brewery
Mad Duck Craft Brewing Co.

Best Chinese
Ding Ho Kitchen

Best Japanese
Sakura Chaya

Best Italian
Parma Ristorante

Best Mediterranean
Phoenician Garden Mediterranean Bar & Grill

Best Mexican
Don Pepe’s Taqueria

Best Indian
Bollywood Indian Street Food

Best American
Cracked Pepper Bistro

Date Night (Most Romantic)
Parma Ristorante

Best Service (Hospitality)
School House Restaurant & Tavern

New on the Scene (Best Newcomer)
The Woodward American Grill

Best Night Life
Modernist Craft Cocktail Bar

Beverage Supplier of the Year
Donaghy Sales

Supplier of the Year
US Foods

Chef of the Year
Justin Shannon

Restauranteur of the Year
Jimmy Pardini

Rising Star
Devin Everk

People’s Choice
Saizon