Congratulations South Walton friends, businesses and associates!
Walton County, Fla.–January 26, 2023– 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 www.visitsouthwalton.com/2023-perfect-walton-county-awards/.
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.
Award winners list (see below) or link: 2023 PERFECT IN WALTON COUNTY AWARD WINNERS (visitsouthwalton.com)
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:
ACCOMMODATIONS
BEST BOUTIQUE VACATION RENTAL COMPANY <50 UNITS
DIAMOND: Grayt 30A Vacations
PLATINUM: Your Friend at the Beach
GOLD: Shut Up + Beach
BEST HOTEL/RESORT
DIAMOND: The Pearl Hotel
PLATINUM: WaterColor Inn & Resort
GOLD: Hotel Effie
BEST RENTAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY 50+ UNITS
DIAMOND: 30A Beach Girls
PLATINUM: Oversee Rentals
GOLD: Royal Destinations
ACTIVITY/SHOPPING
BEST ART GALLERY/STUDIO
DIAMOND: The Blue Giraffe
PLATINUM: Justin Gaffrey Gallery
GOLD: Saczynski Gallery
BEST EVENT
DIAMOND: 30A Songwriters Festival
PLATINUM: South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
GOLD: Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic
BEST GOLF COURSE
DIAMOND: Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club
PLATINUM: Camp Creek Golf Club
GOLD: Baytowne Golf Club
BEST KIDS ATTRACTION
DIAMOND: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
PLATINUM: The Big Chill
GOLD: Rock Paper Scissors 30A
BEST NATURE LOCALE
DIAMOND: Grayton Beach State Park
PLATINUM: Eden Gardens State Park
GOLD: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
BEST RETAILER
DIAMOND: Indigo Watercolor
PLATINUM: Willow + Mercer
GOLD: Bay Baits
BEST SHOPPING AREA
DIAMOND: Grand Boulevard
PLATINUM: Silver Sands Premium Outlets
GOLD: Seaside
BEST TENNIS FACILITY
DIAMOND: WaterColor Tennis by MatchPoint Resorts
PLATINUM: Rosemary Beach Racquet Club
GOLD: Sandestin Tennis Center
FOOD & DRINKS
BEST BREAKFAST
DIAMOND: The Donut Hole
PLATINUM: Black Bear Bread Co.
GOLD: Crackings
BEST CASUAL DINING
DIAMOND: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar
PLATINUM: The Bay
GOLD: Grayton Seafood Company
BEST COFFEE HOUSE
DIAMOND: Black Bear Bread Co.
PLATINUM: Bad Ass Coffee
GOLD: Amavida Coffee Roasters
BEST CRAFT BEER/SPIRITS SELECTION
DIAMOND: Grayton Beer Company
PLATINUM: Idyll Hounds Brewing Company
GOLD: The Craft Bar
BEST FINE DINING
DIAMOND: Cafe Thirty-A
PLATINUM: Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood
GOLD: The Citizen
BEST HAPPY HOUR
DIAMOND: Great Southern Café
PLATINUM: Hurricane Oyster Bar & Grill
GOLD: amici 30A Italian Kitchen
BEST LUNCH
DIAMOND: Chanticleer Eatery
PLATINUM: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar
GOLD: Cowgirl Kitchen
BEST PERSONAL CHEF/CATERING SERVICE
DIAMOND: Grayton Beach Catering and Events
PLATINUM: Swiftly Catered
GOLD: James Sargent/Shaka Sushi and Noodle Bar
BEST SWEET TREATS
DIAMOND: Blue Mountain Beach Creamery
PLATINUM: Pecan Jacks Ice Cream & Candy
GOLD: Sweet Henrietta’s Treats
BEST WINE SELECTION
DIAMOND: Wine World/Wine Bar
PLATINUM: Vin’tij Food & Wine
GOLD: Gallion’s
SERVICES
BEST BEACH/EVENT SERVICES PROVIDER
DIAMOND: Jake’s Beach Service
PLATINUM: 30A Blaze Beach Bonfires
GOLD: La Dolce Vita
BEST FISHING CHARTER
DIAMOND: Reel 30A
PLATINUM: Dead Fish Charters
GOLD: Florida Boy Adventures
BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN/BAND
DIAMOND: Forrest Williams Band
PLATINUM: Dread Clampitt
GOLD: Dion Jones & The Neon Tears
BEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ACTIVITY
DIAMOND: YOLO Board
PLATINUM: 30A Blaze Beach Bonfires
GOLD: Adventure 30A
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
DIAMOND: Chandler Williams/Modus Photography
PLATINUM: Randi Doris Photography
GOLD: Jessica Winkler Photography
BEST SPA/SALON
DIAMOND: Serenity by the Sea Spa
PLATINUM: Spa Pearl
GOLD: Grayt Skin By Ariel
VENUES
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE
DIAMOND: The Red Bar
PLATINUM: North Beach Social
GOLD: AJ’s Grayton Beach
BEST MEETING/CONFERENCE SPACE
DIAMOND: WaterColor Inn
PLATINUM: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
GOLD: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
BEST WEDDING VENUE
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 VisitSouthWalton.com or follow Visit South Walton on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.
Walton County, Fla.–January 26, 2023– 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 www.visitsouthwalton.com/2023-perfect-walton-county-awards/.
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.
Award winners list (see below) or link: 2023 PERFECT IN WALTON COUNTY AWARD WINNERS (visitsouthwalton.com)
2023 PERFECT IN WALTON COUNTY AWARD WINNERS
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:
ACCOMMODATIONS
BEST BOUTIQUE VACATION RENTAL COMPANY <50 UNITS
DIAMOND: Grayt 30A Vacations
PLATINUM: Your Friend at the Beach
GOLD: Shut Up + Beach
BEST HOTEL/RESORT
DIAMOND: The Pearl Hotel
PLATINUM: WaterColor Inn & Resort
GOLD: Hotel Effie
BEST RENTAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY 50+ UNITS
DIAMOND: 30A Beach Girls
PLATINUM: Oversee Rentals
GOLD: Royal Destinations
ACTIVITY/SHOPPING
BEST ART GALLERY/STUDIO
DIAMOND: The Blue Giraffe
PLATINUM: Justin Gaffrey Gallery
GOLD: Saczynski Gallery
BEST EVENT
DIAMOND: 30A Songwriters Festival
PLATINUM: South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival
GOLD: Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic
BEST GOLF COURSE
DIAMOND: Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club
PLATINUM: Camp Creek Golf Club
GOLD: Baytowne Golf Club
BEST KIDS ATTRACTION
DIAMOND: The Village of Baytowne Wharf
PLATINUM: The Big Chill
GOLD: Rock Paper Scissors 30A
BEST NATURE LOCALE
DIAMOND: Grayton Beach State Park
PLATINUM: Eden Gardens State Park
GOLD: Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
BEST RETAILER
DIAMOND: Indigo Watercolor
PLATINUM: Willow + Mercer
GOLD: Bay Baits
BEST SHOPPING AREA
DIAMOND: Grand Boulevard
PLATINUM: Silver Sands Premium Outlets
GOLD: Seaside
BEST TENNIS FACILITY
DIAMOND: WaterColor Tennis by MatchPoint Resorts
PLATINUM: Rosemary Beach Racquet Club
GOLD: Sandestin Tennis Center
FOOD & DRINKS
BEST BREAKFAST
DIAMOND: The Donut Hole
PLATINUM: Black Bear Bread Co.
GOLD: Crackings
BEST CASUAL DINING
DIAMOND: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar
PLATINUM: The Bay
GOLD: Grayton Seafood Company
BEST COFFEE HOUSE
DIAMOND: Black Bear Bread Co.
PLATINUM: Bad Ass Coffee
GOLD: Amavida Coffee Roasters
BEST CRAFT BEER/SPIRITS SELECTION
DIAMOND: Grayton Beer Company
PLATINUM: Idyll Hounds Brewing Company
GOLD: The Craft Bar
BEST FINE DINING
DIAMOND: Cafe Thirty-A
PLATINUM: Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood
GOLD: The Citizen
BEST HAPPY HOUR
DIAMOND: Great Southern Café
PLATINUM: Hurricane Oyster Bar & Grill
GOLD: amici 30A Italian Kitchen
BEST LUNCH
DIAMOND: Chanticleer Eatery
PLATINUM: Shunk Gulley Oyster Bar
GOLD: Cowgirl Kitchen
BEST PERSONAL CHEF/CATERING SERVICE
DIAMOND: Grayton Beach Catering and Events
PLATINUM: Swiftly Catered
GOLD: James Sargent/Shaka Sushi and Noodle Bar
BEST SWEET TREATS
DIAMOND: Blue Mountain Beach Creamery
PLATINUM: Pecan Jacks Ice Cream & Candy
GOLD: Sweet Henrietta’s Treats
BEST WINE SELECTION
DIAMOND: Wine World/Wine Bar
PLATINUM: Vin’tij Food & Wine
GOLD: Gallion’s
SERVICES
BEST BEACH/EVENT SERVICES PROVIDER
DIAMOND: Jake’s Beach Service
PLATINUM: 30A Blaze Beach Bonfires
GOLD: La Dolce Vita
BEST FISHING CHARTER
DIAMOND: Reel 30A
PLATINUM: Dead Fish Charters
GOLD: Florida Boy Adventures
BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN/BAND
DIAMOND: Forrest Williams Band
PLATINUM: Dread Clampitt
GOLD: Dion Jones & The Neon Tears
BEST OUTDOOR ADVENTURE ACTIVITY
DIAMOND: YOLO Board
PLATINUM: 30A Blaze Beach Bonfires
GOLD: Adventure 30A
BEST PHOTOGRAPHER
DIAMOND: Chandler Williams/Modus Photography
PLATINUM: Randi Doris Photography
GOLD: Jessica Winkler Photography
BEST SPA/SALON
DIAMOND: Serenity by the Sea Spa
PLATINUM: Spa Pearl
GOLD: Grayt Skin By Ariel
VENUES
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE
DIAMOND: The Red Bar
PLATINUM: North Beach Social
GOLD: AJ’s Grayton Beach
BEST MEETING/CONFERENCE SPACE
DIAMOND: WaterColor Inn
PLATINUM: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
GOLD: Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
BEST WEDDING VENUE
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 VisitSouthWalton.com or follow Visit South Walton on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.
