The stars of local businesses came out to celebrate the
Kanata Chamber of Commerce People’s Choice Business Awards at the Brookstreet
Hotel on Feb. 24.
Greeted with a red carpet entrance and a paparazzi photo
opportunity, thanks to All Saints Catholic High School students, the evening
was modeled on a Hollywood Awards-style night.
Over 300 people from the business communities in Kanata, West Carleton and
Goulbourn attended the sold-out gala event. Attendees were dressed to the nines
in red-carpet worthy gowns, tuxedoes and suits.
Television broadcaster Kurt Stoodley, of the A Channel’s A
Morning, emceed the event in place of Angie Poirier
who was unable to make the ceremony.
Councillors Marianne Wilkinson, Allan Hubley and Eli
El-Chantiry were in attendance. Shad Qadri and Mayor Jim Watson were unable to
attend the event but sent their best wishes.
Chamber president Megan Cornell said it was the largest
awards ceremony the chamber had hosted.
“You’re voted by your peers as the best in your class,” said
Cornell. “All the nominees are to be congratulated.”
This year there were 254 nominees in 12 categories.
And the statues went to:
KANATA:
* Large Business: Brookstreet Hotel
* Small Business: Wine
Garden Warehouse Winery
* Retail Business: Kunstadt Sports
* Best Restaurant: Bin 790 Tapas & Wine Bar
* New Business: OUR HOMES-Ottawa Magazine
* Health and Wellness Business: The SPA Day Retreat
* Tourism Business: Country Inn & Suites Kanata
* Community Support/Non Profit Organization: Kanata Food Cupboard
GOULBOURN:
* Large Business: Wild Wood Steak & Chophouse
* Small Business: Memories2dvd
* Retail Business: Brown’s Independent Grocer
* Best Restaurant: Napoli’s
Café
* New Business: Sonya Kinkade Design
* Health and Wellness Business: Blue Bamboo Yoga –
Stittsville
* Tourism Business: Saunders Farm
* Community Support/Non Profit Organization: Friends of
Hospice Ottawa
WEST CARLETON:
* Large Business: Dunrobin Village Meat Company
* Small Business: Tails & Trails Country Pet Resort
* Retail Business: Heart of the Valley
* Best Restaurant: Cheshire Cat Pub
* Health and Wellness Business: Yoga & Tea Studio
* Tourism Business: Carp Farmers’ Market
* Community Support/Non Profit Organization: West Carleton
Emergency Food Aid
SINGLE AWARDS:
* Kanata
Chamber of Commerce Award of Merit: Phil Sweetnam
* Technology Business: Web Shark Media
* Professional Services: McAuley Financial Services
* Citizen of the Year: Kathryn Logsdail-Downer – Friends of
Hospice Ottawa
‘ABOVE AND BEYOND’
This year’s recipient of the Citizen of the Year award was
described by Stoodley as someone who works tirelessly to better the lives of
people in the community.
“This year’s winner has improved the lives of many across
our entire area,” said Stoodley. “She’s a dedicated leader who goes above and
beyond.”
Kathryn Logsdail-Downer, the executive director of Friends
of Hospice Ottawa, thanked the community for its steadfast support and
understanding the importance of palliative care.
“I entered palliative care, which is not all about dying but
all about living,” said Logsdail-Downer during her acceptance speech. “(This
is) a community who understands the importance of care.”
jessica.cunha@metroland.com