Some of the 2025 Best of Fair Oaks first-place winners pose for a group photo. Photo courtesy of Michelle Massaro

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - Celebrating 10 years, the Best of Fair Oaks 2025 winners were announced at the Fair Oaks Chamber’s annual gala held on Jan. 15 at North Ridge Country Club. With a glittering Winter Wonderland theme, more than 250 attendees, including local dignitaries, gathered to celebrate the evening and each other.

Online voting to determine the first, second, and third-place winners took place over five weeks in November and December. More than 470 nominees competed in 90 different categories, and close to 19,000 votes were received and tallied through bestoffairoaks.com.

“We started this event in 2016 with only 20 categories,” said Fair Oaks Chamber CEO/President Kimberley Pitillo. “I’m amazed to see how large it’s grown and how it’s become the most anticipated event in town. It’s quite an honor to be nominated.”

More than 250 attendees, including chamber members, dignitaries, nominees, and guests, came out to celebrate at the Best of Fair Oaks. Photo courtesy of Michelle Massaro

Pitillo served as the event’s MC, while students from the Chamber’s Fair Oaks Youth Outreach Scholarship Program handed out award certificates to first-place winners throughout the evening. Ticket proceeds from the event supported the youth program. Presenters and helpers included Phineas Bragado, Zoelle Flores, Abby Lingenfelter, Zac Lingenfelter, Gray Mihalakos, Ella Strubli and Noah Wright.

Marina Pitillo served as the event DJ, keeping the atmosphere lively with her fun, creative playlist. 

Award Highlights
Below are some notable 2025 new and repeat winners:

Best Burger, Best Restaurant, Best Taco: Brahma Bar and Grill (Brahma won first place in all three categories.)
Best Bakery: O Café Bakery Bistro
Best Bar/Brew Pub: Fair Oaks Brew Pub
Best Bartender: Joyce Winstead (Player’s Pub, Fair Oaks Blvd.)
Best Boutique: French in the Village
Best Coffee Spot, Best Sandwich Shop: Fair Oaks Coffee House & Deli (They won in two categories.)
Best Entertainment: Concerts in the Park
Best Event of the Year: Fair Oaks Chicken Festival
Best Gym/Fitness Center: Rollingwood YMCA
Best Hair Salon: Rustique Salon
Best Home-based Business: Color Street Nails, Mysti Lingenfelter
Best Insurance Services: Katie Yount, State Farm
Best Non-profit: Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank
Best Park: Village Park in Fair Oaks
Best Realtor: Carla Hart, Windermere Signature Properties
Best Skin & Beauty: Skinned & Lashed by Jen (Jen Rodriguez also won Best Winter Wonderland Storefront.)
Best Specialty Shop: Botanica Village Apothecary
Best Wine Spot: Bodega Biondi

Best Wine Spot went to Bodega Biondi. Owners Franco and Katie Biondi pose for a photo. Photo courtesy of Michelle Massaro

Special Chamber Awards
Pitillo presented special chamber awards to four deserving individuals and businesses. These recipients were hand-picked for their outstanding contributions to the chamber and the community in 2025: 

Business of the Year: Fair Oaks Arborist
Business Person of the Year: Dot Boyd, Senior Safety Specialist
Citizen of the Year: Heather Ford, The Restful Roost (She also won for Best Home Design.)
Volunteer of the Year: Anupama Shojaei, Care Patrol of Rancho Cordova

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!

The Best of Fair Oaks is sponsored by the American River Messenger, Fair Oaks Chamber of Commerce, and VoterFly. Gala sponsors included: Buck Wealth Management, County Supervisor Rich Desmond, Fair Oaks Youth Outreach, Heritage Community Credit Union, I Love Fair Oaks, Jessica Rose Balloons, Michelle Massaro Photography, Miller’s Ace Hardware, Retro Fit Studio, Sunrise Senior Living, The Recognition Group, and Violet Wellness Spa.

Special thanks to Michelle Massaro for event photography and to Chrysti Tovani and Mike Ward from I Love Fair Oaks for providing a live stream of the event. Tovani won first place in the Best Design and Marketing Services category.

For a complete list of winners, photos, and access to the live stream, visit bestoffairoaks.com or fairoakschamber.com.