Nominees have been unveiled for the 2025 Best of the Valley Restaurant Awards presented by the California Restaurant Association Fresno chapter. File photo

The 30th annual Best of the Valley Restaurant Awards took place Monday evening, inducting the inaugural Hall of Fame inductees as well as honoring local restaurateurs, franchisees, breweries and other personalities and establishments for their culinary achievements in the Fresno area.

The event, hosted by the Fresno Chapter of the California Restaurant Association, was headlined by the recognition of the LaRocca Family’s Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring the family’s 40-plus year legacy in Italian dining.

“On behalf of the entire LaRocca family, we would like to acknowledge and thank the CRA for nominating us with this great honor of the Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Pat LaRocca, owner of Five Restaurant. “We would like to thank the community for all your loyalty, support, generosity and friendship over the last 40 years.”

In addition to the LaRocca family, the association also inducted its first two Hall of Fame members — Vincent Papagni and Ichiro Yoshino — into the hall, recognizing their service in the restaurant and hospitality industries.

Also honored at the ceremony were 37 additional award recipients ranging from casual dining to pizza, sushi, night life and a plethora of other categories.

Other well-known Valley establishments such as Pismo’s Coastal Grill, Wassabi, 13 Prime Steak and Saizon also took home recognition at the event.

A full list of restaurant winners:

Lifetime Achievement Award – The LaRocca Family

Hall of Fame Inductee – Vincent Papagni

Hall of Fame Inductee – Ichiro Yoshino

Best Fast Casual – Heirloom

Best Family Dining – Heirloom

Best Fine Dining – School House Restaurant & Tavern

Best Watering Hole – Pismo’s Coastal Grill

Best Food Truck – Roma’s Italian Street Cuisine

Best Banquet/Catering Services – The Painted Table

Best Hotel/Casino Dining – Table Mountain Casino Resort

Best Outdoor Dining – Elbow Room

Best Breakfast – Red Apple Cafe

Best Pizza – Annesso Pizzeria

Best Sushi – Wassabi

Best Steak – 13 Prime Steak

Best Burger – Colorado Grill

Best Deli – Sam’s Italian Deli & Market

Best BBQ – Westwoods BBQ & Spice Co.

Best Sweet Treats – Ampersand Ice Cream

Best Local Winery – Solitary Cellars Wine Company

Best Local Coffee Shop – Kuppa Joy

Best Craft Cocktail – Modernist Craft Cocktail Bar

Best Local Brewery – Crow & Wolf Brewing Co. Taproom

Best Chinese – Hunan Chinese Restaurant

Best Japanese – Hino Oshi

Best Italian – The Annex Kitchen

Best Mediterranean – Ark Mediterranean Grill

Best Mexican – Sal’s Mexican Restaurant

Best Indian – Indian Kebab Palace

Best America – Yosemite Ranch

Date Night (Most Romantic) – Cracked Pepper Bistro

Best Service (Hospitality) – Parma Ristorante

New on the Scene (Best Newcomer) – Saizon

Best Night Life – Lucy’s Lounge

Beverage Supplier of the Year – Valley Wide Beverage

Supplier of the Year – JD Food

Chef of the Year – Jimmy Pardini

Restaurateur of the Year – Brandon Smittcamp

Rising Star – Brit Collins Dean, Colton’s Social House

Peoples Choice (announced the night of the event) – Heirloom