BEST OF UPPER KEYS AWARDS THE BEST IN TOWN

By
Jim McCarthy
-
two men and a woman standing in front of a sign
The gang at Wahoo’s hold up the Best Fish Sandwich award.

50 Best of Upper Keys award plaques were handed out to winners in three major categories, which included food and drink, community and business. Winners were chosen by the thousands of votes that poured in for the finalists. Visit page 25 in the Nov. 17 edition of the Upper Keys Weekly and keysweekly.com for the winners list.

Leah Maurer and Matt Hutchinson proudly display the Best Law Firm plaque, which went to Hershoff, Lupino & Yagel.
Islamorada Village Manager Ted Yates, middle, displays the Best Place to Take the Kids award, which went to Founders Park. Also pictured are Councilmen Buddy Pinder and David Webb.
MarrVelous Pet Rescue’s Suzi Youngberg and Joy Martin show off the Best Nonprofit Award.
Longtime Keys resident and volunteer extraordinaire Nola Acker wins Best Volunteer. Also pictured, from left, are Julie Johnson, Scott Acker and Henry Menendez.
Residents of Plantation Key Colony hold up the Best Neighborhood plaque.
The crew at Square Grouper Islamorada came away with three awards during the inaugural Best of Upper Keys.
Key Largo School teacher Tiffany Zepada wins Best Educator.
  • Best Overall Business goes to Pilates in Paradise and owner Christi Franchini.
  • Realtor Jeanette Silvestri and Christi Franchini embrace each other following victors for Best Overall Business and Best Realtor.
  • The Silvestri Team with office manager Jeff Piipponen
  • Taco Jalisco and Team Silverstri Team are winners for Best Food Truck and Best Realtor.
  • Waverly Austin and Janessa Silvestri.
  • Cafe Moka owner Alex Bellion holds Best Coffee Award.
  • Doc’s Diner owner Gina Boilini holds the Best Breakfast award.
  • Lynn and Joe Bell.
  • Dr. Stan Zuba wins Best Medical Professional.
  • Audra Wallace holds C&C Wood Fire Eats’ award.
  • Islamorada Square Grouper bartender Michael Roe wins Best Bartender.
  • Maria Jones holding C&C Wood Fire Eats’ award for Best Happy Hour..
  • Erin Muir holds Robbie’s of Islamorada’s award for Best Bloody Mary.
  • Lazy Days wins Best Waterfront Dining.
  • Florida Keys Brewing Co. owner Cheryl McBay holds the Best Live Music Venue award.
  • Hog Heaven Sports Bar & Grill wins Best Late Night Spot.
  • Monroe County Tax Collector Sam Steele and state Rep. Jim Mooney hold Chef Drew’s Island Catering’s award for Best Caterer.
  • Tacos Jalisco wins Best Food Truck.
  • Sheriff Rick Ramsay holds Num Thai’s award for Best Sushi.
  • Stephanie Scuderi holds C&C Wood Fire Eat’s award for Best Pizza.
  • MEAT Eatery & Taproom owner Tom Smith wins Best Burger.
  • Upper Keys Rotarians hold the Best Event/Festival Award, which went to their Gigantic Nautical Flea Market production.
  • Caribbean Club representatives hold the award for Best Sunset.
  • Ziggie & Mad Dog’s winds Best Place to Take a Date.
  • The DePaula’s win Best Jeweler.
  • Sara Stancyzk holds the award for Best Marina.
  • The Nagels, owners of Singing Reels Charters, win Best Charter.
Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy
Jim McCarthy is one of the many who escaped the snow and frigid temperatures in Western New York. A former crime & court reporter and city editor for two Western New York newspapers, Jim has been honing his craft since he graduated from St. Bonaventure University in 2014. In his 5-plus years in the Keys, Jim has enjoyed connecting with the community. Jim is past president of the Key Largo Sunset Rotary Club. When he's not working, he's busy chasing his son, Lucas, around the house and enjoying time with family.
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