A Business Excellence night to remember

By David F. Rooney

The city’s business community gathered at the Community Centre on Saturday evening , November 1, to celebrate the best of the best and it was quite a party.

Sonia Ratte and her partner Olivier Dutil served up a magnificent feast anchored at the meaty end by beef brisket and pork cutlets and at the vegetable end by ratatouille, Caesar’s salad and a host of other delicious dishes.

There was a casino with all tables run by candidates for City Council. The bar was efficiently managed by the Rotary Club and there was entertainment by the Snow Monkeys.

Outgoing City Councillor Tony Scarcella was honoured with a standing ovation for his ability to work with the business community and the late Ross Gorman’s son-in-law Nick Arkle spoke briefly about Ross’s life-long attachment to Revelstoke.

Now who won all the 2014 awards? Here’s the list:

  • Employee of the Year award sponsored by RBC — Tracey McKinney of the Revelstoke Credit Union;
  • Tourism and Attractions Excellence award sponsored by Community Economic Development — Revelstoke Mountain Resort, represented by Rob Elliott;
  • Food Service Excellence Award, sponsored by Pharmasave — La Baguette, represented by Sonia Ratte and Olivier Dutil;
  • Accommodations Excellence Award, sponsored by the Revelstoke Accommodations Association — The Courthouse Inn, unfortunately owners Shawn and Young Seon Cook were not present to accept the award;
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Excellence, sponsored by Columbia Towing — Topps Stone Services. Danny Donato was not present to accept his award;
  • Retail Excellence Award, sponsored by Cooper’s Foods — Skookum Cycle and Ski, represented by Isaac Becker, Tyler Bradbury and Mike Gravelle;
  • Youth Employer Award, sponsored by BC Hydro — Cooper’s Foods, represented by Robbie Bett;
  • Best New or Renovated Building Design, sponsored by the Rotary Club — Selkirk Saddle Club for its new arena, represented by Tanya Secord;
  • Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, sponsored by the Revelstoke Credit Union — Bette’s Underthings and Clothing, represented by Yvette Pendergast;
  • Home-based Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Community Futures Revelstoke — BA Sausage, represented by Barry Asmundson;
  • Community Support Excellence Award, sponsored by Columbia Basin Trust — Touch of Elegance and Selkirk Saddle Club, represented by Tanya Secord;
  • Business of the Year, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada — Big Mountain Kitchen & Linen — represented by Nicole Cherlet;
  • Business Person of the Year, sponsored by Okanagan College — Joel Asher, co-owner of The Village Idiot, Big Eddy Pub and Chubby Funsters.

Congratulations to you all. Now, here are some photos from the evening’s events:

Meghan Tabor signs in Chamber members Poppi Reiner and Steve Kent. David F. Rooney photo
Meghan Tabor signs in Chamber members Poppi Reiner and Steve Kent. David F. Rooney photo
Scott Duke managed the 21 table. David F. Rooney photo
Scott Duke managed the 21 table. David F. Rooney photo
Can Dale Morehouse beat the house, represented here by incumbent Councillor Gary Starling? David F. Rooney photo
Can Dale Morehouse beat the house, represented here by incumbent Councillor Gary Starling? David F. Rooney photo
What! You won! Council candidates Trevor English and Karen Powers were in charge of the electronic roulette wheel. David F. Rooney photo
What! You won! Council candidates Trevor English and Karen Powers were in charge of the electronic roulette wheel. David F. Rooney photo
Shaun Aquiline, EZ Rock's smooth and witty local host, did an excellent job as MC for the event. David F. Rooney photo
Shaun Aquiline, EZ Rock’s smooth and witty local host, did an excellent job as MC for the event. David F. Rooney photo
Councillor Gary Starling was the stand-in for Mayor David Raven at this year's banquet. David F. Rooney photo
Councillor Gary Starling was the stand-in for Mayor David Raven at this year’s banquet. David F. Rooney photo
Tony Scarcella waves to his many supporters as they pay him tribute with a standing ovation. David F. Rooney photo
Tony Scarcella waves to his many supporters as they pay him tribute with a standing ovation. David F. Rooney photo
Nick Arkle speaks fondly of Ross Gorman's legacy and his attachment to Revelstoke. David F. Rooney photo
Nick Arkle speaks fondly of Ross Gorman’s legacy and his attachment to Revelstoke. David F. Rooney photo
Here are some of the evening's big winners. In front: Tracey McKinney, Tanya Secord, Nicole Cherlet and Rob Bett. In back are: Isaac Becker, Tyler Bradbury, Mike Gravelle, Yvette Pendergast, Barry Asmundson and Rob Elliott. David F. Rooney photo
Here are some of the evening’s big winners. In front: Tracey McKinney, Tanya Secord, Nicole Cherlet and Rob Bett. In back are: Isaac Becker, Tyler Bradbury, Mike Gravelle, Yvette Pendergast, Barry Asmundson and Rob Elliott. David F. Rooney photo