Congratulations South Walton friends, businesses and associates! [B]Walton County, Fla.–January 26, 2023– [/B]The Walton County Tourism Department announced the winners of the 2023 Perfect Awards during a celebration held at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa. Now in its ninth year, the annual awards are nominated and voted upon by residents and visitors alike who choose their favorites in tourism-related businesses, services and organizations. "It's always an honor to shine the spotlight on our local businesses as part of our Perfect in Walton County awards," says Matt Algarin, Walton County tourism director. "These businesses help our residents and visitors create lifelong memories, so to be able to talk about them and promote them as Perfect Award winners is always rewarding." More than 2,300 votes were cast across 30 categories to determine the best dining, entertainment, shopping and more in Walton County; the 90 winners, first through third place, are featured in our Perfect in Walton County 2023 guide, and may be viewed, along with listing by category, on our website [URL='https://marketing.visitsouthwalton.com/acton/ct/42551/s-0175-2301/Bct/l-0018/l-0018:308/ct1_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AY12qXe0oE']www.visitsouthwalton.com/2023-perfect-walton-county-awards/[/URL]. Also during the event, the Walton County Tourism Department honored restaurateur Dave Rauschkolb as the winner of its annual Van Ness Butler Jr. Hospitality Award and awarded Bradley Copeland the 2023 Walton County Artist of the Year. [B]Award winners list (see below) or link:[/B] [URL='https://marketing.visitsouthwalton.com/acton/ct/42551/s-0175-2301/Bct/l-0018/l-0018:308/ct1_1/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AY12qXe0oE']2023 PERFECT IN WALTON COUNTY AWARD WINNERS (visitsouthwalton.com)[/URL] [HEADING=2][/HEADING] [HEADING=2]2023 PERFECT IN WALTON COUNTY AWARD WINNERS[/HEADING] Perfect takes on many shapes and sizes. From cocktails, events and locally owned boutiques to restaurants, small shops, and outdoor adventures, perfect is a feeling that resonates in your heart. Perfect is also a place, embodied by the diversity of the destination that is Walton County -- from South Walton’s 16 beach neighborhoods with sugar white sand and turquoise water to the incredible historic treasures and pastoral landscapes beyond the Choctawhatchee Bay. But the heart of our Walton County communities are the people, places, and activities we celebrate. The Perfect in Walton County Awards give locals and visitors a chance to shine a spotlight on their favorites -- and here they are for 2023: [B]ACCOMMODATIONS BEST BOUTIQUE VACATION RENTAL COMPANY <50 UNITS[/B] DIAMOND: Grayt 30A Vacations PLATINUM: Your Friend at the Beach GOLD: Shut Up + Beach [B]BEST HOTEL/RESORT[/B] DIAMOND: The Pearl Hotel PLATINUM: WaterColor Inn & Resort GOLD: Hotel Effie [B]BEST RENTAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY 50+ UNITS[/B] DIAMOND: 30A Beach Girls PLATINUM: Oversee Rentals GOLD: Royal Destinations [B]ACTIVITY/SHOPPING BEST ART GALLERY/STUDIO[/B] DIAMOND: The Blue Giraffe PLATINUM: Justin Gaffrey Gallery GOLD: Saczynski Gallery [B]BEST EVENT[/B] DIAMOND: 30A Songwriters Festival PLATINUM: South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival GOLD: Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic [B]BEST GOLF COURSE[/B] DIAMOND: Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club PLATINUM: Camp Creek Golf Club GOLD: Baytowne Golf Club [B]BEST KIDS ATTRACTION[/B] DIAMOND: The Village of Baytowne Wharf PLATINUM: The Big Chill GOLD: Rock Paper Scissors 30A [B]BEST NATURE LOCALE[/B] DIAMOND: Grayton Beach State Park PLATINUM: Eden Gardens State Park GOLD: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park [B]BEST RETAILER[/B] DIAMOND: Indigo Watercolor PLATINUM: Willow + Mercer GOLD: Bay Baits [B]BEST SHOPPING AREA[/B] DIAMOND: Grand Boulevard PLATINUM: Silver Sands Premium Outlets GOLD: Seaside [B]BEST TENNIS FACILITY[/B] DIAMOND: WaterColor Tennis by MatchPoint Resorts PLATINUM: Rosemary Beach Racquet Club GOLD: Sandestin Tennis Center [B]FOOD & DRINKS BEST BREAKFAST[/B] DIAMOND: The Donut Hole PLATINUM: Black Bear Bread Co. GOLD: Crackings [B]BEST CASUAL DINING[/B] DIAMOND: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar PLATINUM: The Bay GOLD: Grayton Seafood Company [B]BEST COFFEE HOUSE[/B] DIAMOND: Black Bear Bread Co. PLATINUM: Bad Ass Coffee GOLD: Amavida Coffee Roasters [B]BEST CRAFT BEER/SPIRITS SELECTION[/B] DIAMOND: Grayton Beer Company PLATINUM: Idyll Hounds Brewing Company GOLD: The Craft Bar [B] BEST FINE DINING[/B] DIAMOND: Cafe Thirty-A PLATINUM: Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood GOLD: The Citizen [B]BEST HAPPY HOUR[/B] DIAMOND: Great Southern Café PLATINUM: Hurricane Oyster Bar & Grill GOLD: amici 30A Italian Kitchen [B]BEST LUNCH[/B] DIAMOND: Chanticleer Eatery PLATINUM: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar GOLD: Cowgirl Kitchen [B]BEST PERSONAL CHEF/CATERING SERVICE[/B] DIAMOND: Grayton Beach Catering and Events PLATINUM: Swiftly Catered GOLD: James Sargent/Shaka Sushi and Noodle Bar [B]BEST SWEET TREATS[/B] DIAMOND: Blue Mountain Beach Creamery PLATINUM: Pecan Jacks Ice Cream & Candy GOLD: Sweet Henrietta’s Treats [B]BEST WINE SELECTION[/B] DIAMOND: Wine World/Wine Bar PLATINUM: Vin’tij Food & Wine GOLD: Gallion’s [B]SERVICES BEST BEACH/EVENT SERVICES PROVIDER[/B] DIAMOND: Jake’s Beach Service PLATINUM: 30A Blaze Beach Bonfires GOLD: La Dolce Vita [B]BEST FISHING CHARTER[/B] DIAMOND: Reel 30A PLATINUM: Dead Fish Charters GOLD: Florida Boy Adventures [B]BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN/BAND[/B] DIAMOND: Forrest Williams Band PLATINUM: Dread Clampitt GOLD: Dion Jones & The Neon Tears [B]BEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ACTIVITY[/B] DIAMOND: YOLO Board PLATINUM: 30A Blaze Beach Bonfires GOLD: Adventure 30A [B]BEST PHOTOGRAPHER[/B] DIAMOND: Chandler Williams/Modus Photography PLATINUM: Randi Doris Photography GOLD: Jessica Winkler Photography [B]BEST SPA/SALON[/B] DIAMOND: Serenity by the Sea Spa PLATINUM: Spa Pearl GOLD: Grayt Skin By Ariel [B]VENUES BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE[/B] DIAMOND: The Red Bar PLATINUM: North Beach Social GOLD: AJ’s Grayton Beach [B]BEST MEETING/CONFERENCE SPACE[/B] DIAMOND: WaterColor Inn PLATINUM: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa GOLD: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort [B]BEST WEDDING VENUE[/B] DIAMOND: The Chapel at Seaside PLATINUM: Eden Gardens State Park GOLD: Vue on 30A Located on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, South Walton is continually recognized as a premier beach vacation destination that boasts 26 miles of sugar-white sand, turquoise water and 16 unique beachside neighborhoods, each with its own personality and style. South Walton’s artful mix of shops and restaurants perfectly complement the area’s natural attractions and activities, from kayaking and golfing to tennis, swimming and bicycling. Find your perfect beach in South Walton. Learn more at [URL='https://marketing.visitsouthwalton.com/acton/ct/42551/s-0175-2301/Bct/l-0018/l-0018:308/ct7_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AY12qXe0oE']VisitSouthWalton.com[/URL] or follow Visit South Walton on [URL='https://marketing.visitsouthwalton.com/acton/ct/42551/s-0175-2301/Bct/l-0018/l-0018:308/ct8_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AY12qXe0oE']Facebook[/URL], [URL='https://marketing.visitsouthwalton.com/acton/ct/42551/s-0175-2301/Bct/l-0018/l-0018:308/ct9_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AY12qXe0oE']Twitter[/URL], [URL='https://marketing.visitsouthwalton.com/acton/ct/42551/s-0175-2301/Bct/l-0018/l-0018:308/ct10_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AY12qXe0oE']YouTube[/URL] or [URL='https://marketing.visitsouthwalton.com/acton/ct/42551/s-0175-2301/Bct/l-0018/l-0018:308/ct11_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AY12qXe0oE']Instagram[/URL].
