Awards, great food featured at Chamber gathering
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Debra Grace accepts the award of President Choice at the 2017 Grahammy Awards on behalf of her husband, Tommy Grace, who died last year. Past Graham Chamber of Commerce Chairman Glenn McGee presented the award to Grace and spoke of the history the Graham ISD coach had with the community. Leader photos by Thomas Wallner -
Bob Bratcher, who owns and operates Daddy Bob’s Smokewagon in Graham, serves out barbecue sandwiches to those present at the taste of Graham. Daddy Bob’s Smokewagon won the people’s choice award for best quick serve at the Taste of Graham. -
A crowd of over 400 came out Saturday to try local cuisine from Graham restaurants and voted for their favorites to win various awards at the Taste of Graham at the Young County Arena. Along with public awards, three judges were testing all the food from the restaurants present and giving their own awards for best quick serve and traditional restaurant. Leader photo by Thomas Wallner -
Taste of Graham judges Amy Hall Shackelford, Autumn Redmon Reo and Julie Williams Eastman judge entries into the contest held at the Young County Arena. All three judges are Graham High School alumnae. -
RIGHT: James Yancey shakes the hand of Graham Chamber of Commerce Chairman Alex Heartfield as he accepts the Graham Salt Works Award during the 2017 Grahammy Awards held at the Young County Arena.
The 2017 Grahammy Awards and Taste of Graham kicked off on Saturday, Jan. 24 in the Young County Arena with over 400 attending the two events.
The theme of the Grahammy’s was ‘Through the Looking Glass’ and introductions to both events were made by Graham Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Krisa De La Cruz. The Taste of Graham began immediately after the introductions. Fourteen restaurants participated, hoping to win best traditional restaurant, best quick serve restaurant, best presentation and best dessert.
Taste of Graham participants were: Chicken Express, Daddy Bob’s Smokewagon, Dairy Queen, Dinner at Wildcatter, Dinner Bell Cafe, Dos Chiles, Fox Hollow, Monarch Catering, Potter’s Pizza, Rockin’ S Bar & Grill, Taco Casa, Twisted Branch Eatery and United Supermarket.
After a quick recognition of board members by Chamber Chairman Alex Heartfield, the Grahammy Awards were presented. Heartfield and past chairman Glenn McGee announced the winners of the Grahammys, which included business of the year, citizen of the year, volunteer of the year, president’s choice and the Graham Salt Works award.
2017 Grahammy Awards
Business of the Year - Dos Chiles
Citizen of the Year - Spencer Street III
Volunteer of the Year - Dawna and Guy Gage
President’s Choice - Tommy Grace
Graham Salt Works Award - James Yancey
Taste of Graham Awards
People’s Choice Traditional Restaurant - Dinner Bell at the Wildcatter
Judge’s Choice Traditional Restaurant - Twisted Branch Eatery
People’s Choice Quick Serve - Daddy Bob’s Smokewagon
Judge’s Choice Quick Serve - Taco Casa
Best Presentation - Fox Hollow
Best Dessert - Twisted Branch
