From left, Jim Pardini, Jimmy Pardini and Jeff Pardini at the Annex Kitchen in Fresno. File photo

Hundreds of Fresno’s business leaders gathered downtown to celebrate individuals who have made a significant impact in the community.

Jim Pardini of Pardini’s Catering was the guest of honor at the Fresno Chamber’s Valley Business Awards Luncheon as 2018 recipient of the Leon S. Peters Award. Now in their third generation as a family of restaurateurs, the Pardinis have made an indelible mark on the local business community. Pardini noted that in his acceptance speech, acknowledging that – as a caterer — he has been witness to many happy celebrations while on the job.

“I’ve been in all the finest garages in Fresno,” Pardini joked.

Scott Miller accepted the award in a new award category called Community Champion of the Year. Scott, his wife Natalie Clark and another partner own Gazebo Gardens, which is the oldest retail nursery in Fresno, opening in 1922. Today, it is a popular beer garden and events venue that drew in around 120,000 people last year, he said.

Richard Shehadey of Producer’s Dairy accepted the Harold Zinkin Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Founded in 1932 — and located at the corner of Palm and Belmont avenues since 1949 — Producers employees 500 people in Fresno. The fourth generation of the Shehadey family is currently part of the business.

Recent Fresno State graduate Daniel Malcom received the Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He is the founder of Sparkle Ties, which creates rhinestone and crystal-studded ties that are sold at Orloff Jewelers and the Fresno Lexus dealership.