Best Of 2009 Personalities
Best Local TV Personality: Mark Grant
In 1997, former Major League Baseball starting pitcher Mark Grant joined then-Padres broadcaster Mel Proctor in the San Diego Padres TV broadcast booth for Channel 4 San Diego, and he has remained there to this day. Padres fans enjoy his style of color-commentary along with his antics with Matt Vasgersian. Now “that’s some kinda nice.”
Best Local Radio Personality: Jeff & Jer
For more than two decades, San Diego’s been waking up to the voices of DJ duo Jeff & Jer, currently on Star 94.1. They never cease to snag great interviews and awesome in-studio performances, and share surprisingly intimate details about their lives.
Best Executive Chef: Paul McCabe
Kitchen 1540’s executive chefPaul McCabe joined L’Auberge Del Mar in 2004. Prior to that he held executive chef positions at San Diego’s Top of the Cove and Star of the Sea restaurants. Heralded as a “rising star of American Cuisine” by the James Beard Foundation, McCabe has also cooked for Hollywood’s A-List stars including Barbra Streisand, Gwyneth Paltrow, Meryl Streep, and Kevin Costner.
Best Sommelier: Bertrand Hug
Anyone who knows Bertrand Hug, proprietor of the award-winning Mille Fleurs and Bertrand at Mister A’s restaurants, knows he is a passionate man — and there’s no exception when it comes to his wine. Hug’s wine columns can be found on both restaurants’ Web sites, and he has served as wine auction chair a number of times for local fundraising events.
Best Bartender: Cory Jacklyn
Arterra’s Cory Jacklyn has been with the hotel since the day it opened over seven years ago. He knows most Arterra regulars by name and values the friendships he’s made and the rapport he has with his clientele. Having grown up going to the Del Mar Race Track with his father, Jacklyn now delights in serving the jockeys, owners, and trainers who stay at the hotel.
Best Philanthropist/Volunteer: Mary Beth Kellee
Perhaps best known for her work with the annual Dia del Sol, Mary Beth Kellee’s list of volunteer efforts is mind-boggling and truly inspiring. Some of the causes that have benefited from her efforts include San Diego United Cerebral Palsy and UCP Ride Without Limits, the Santaluz Community Council and the Santaluz Advisory Committee, the Finley Wild Fire Event, the Jenna Druck Foundation, Rancho Santa Fe Rotary, and the list goes on.
Local Well-Known You’d Like To Have Lunch With: Audrey Geisel
Ranch & Coast readers would love to have lunch with Audrey Geisel, A.K.A. Mrs. Seuss. Since Theodor Seuss Geisel’s passing in 1991, she has served as president and CEO of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, bringing the Seuss profile to legendary heights. A dedicated philanthropist, she also supports countless charitable organizations.
More Best Of 2009:
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