The Federal Way Mirror hosted its 21st annual Best of Federal Way awards ceremony on Wednesday evening at the Federal Way Community Center.
Winners were selected by readers, who voted on their favorite nominees in a range of categories.
During the event, the Mirror also announce their 2019 Citizen of the Year — Donna Clark.
For the past seven-plus years, Clark has been delivering flowers to about 20 residents at Avalon Care Center in Federal Way to brighten their rooms and their days.
Congratulations to the following winners:
FOOD
Asian
1ST PLACE
TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE
2ND Thai Bistro
3RD Jasmine Mongolian Grill
Barbecue
1ST PLACE
JIMMY MAC’S ROADHOUSE
2ND Billy McHale’s
3RD Pac Island Grill
Breakfast
1ST PLACE
BLACK BEAR DINER
2ND Poverty Bay Cafe
3RD Biscuits Cafe
Brunch
1ST PLACE
SALTY’S AT REDONDO
2ND Poverty Bay
3RD Federal Way Black Bear Diner
Buffet
1ST PLACE
SALTY’S AT REDONDO
2ND East India Grill
3RD Jasmine Mongolian Grill
Burgers
1ST PLACE
BURGER EXPRESS
2ND Stacks Burgers
3RD Red Robin
Coffee shop
1ST PLACE
POVERTY BAY CAFE
2ND Gravity Coffee
3RD Asensio Coffee
Deli/sandwich
1ST PLACE
PANERA BREAD
2ND Marlene’s Market & Deli
3RD Jimmy John’s
Family dining
1ST PLACE
THE ROCK WOOD FIRED PIZZA
2ND Black Bear Diner
3RD Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse
Ice cream
1ST PLACE
SUB ZERO NITROGEN ICE CREAM
2ND Cold Stone Creamery
3RD Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Indian
1ST PLACE
EAST INDIA GRILL
2ND Maharaj Cuisine of India
3RD Can Am Pizza
Lunch
1ST PLACE
SALTY’S AT REDONDO
2ND The Chopped Leaf
3RD Panera Bread
Mexican
1ST PLACE
PUERTO VALLARTA
2ND AZTECA
3RD Senor Taco
Pizza
1ST PLACE
THE ROCK WOOD FIRED PIZZA
2ND Mod Pizza
3RD Pizza Pizazz
Seafood
1ST PLACE
SALTY’S at REDONDO 2ND Ivar’s
3RD Red Lobster
Steakhouse
1ST PLACE
BLACK ANGUS
2ND Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse
3RD Tokyo Japanese Steak House
LIVING
Bar/Nightclub
1ST PLACE
TIME OUT ALE HOUSE
2ND Billy McHale’s
3RD Scoreboard
Best city leader
1ST PLACE
SUSAN HONDA
2ND Dave Larson
3RD Jim Ferrell
Best police officer
1ST PLACE
ANDY HWANG
2ND Josh Haglan
3RD Thaddeus Hodge
Best firefighter
1ST PLACE
JEFF BELLINGHAUSEN
2ND Aaron Weeks
3RD Ryan Herrera
Community volunteer
1ST PLACE
CHERYL COLE-HURST
2ND Shelley Pauls
3RD Betty Taylor
Educational facility
1ST PLACE
CHRISTIAN FAITH SCHOOL
2ND Highline College
3RD Federal Way Community Center
Venue
1ST PLACE
FEDERAL WAY COMMUNITY CENTER
2ND FW Performing Arts and Event Center
3RD Christian Faith Center
Kids activities
1ST PLACE
FEDERAL WAY COMMUNITY CENTER
2ND Wild Waves Theme & Water Park
3RD Pattison’s West
Local arts group
1ST PLACE
CENTERSTAGE THEATRE
2ND Rosebud Children’s Theatre Conservatory
3RD Federal Way Symphony
Local charity/non-profit
1ST PLACE
MULTI-SERVICE CENTER
2ND Christian Faith Center
3RD FUSION
Teacher/elementary
1ST PLACE
ELSA AGUILAR, CHRISTIAN FAITH SCHOOL
2ND Chris Andrews, Mirror Lake Elementary
3RD Arlene Blauser, Sherwood Forest Elementary
Teacher/middle school
1ST PLACE
DEE CANTELLAY, CHRISTIAN FAITH SCHOOL
2ND Rachel Johnston, Christian Faith School
3RD Chrissie Bianchi, Christian Faith School
Teacher/high school
1ST PLACE
ANGELINA PHILIP, CHRISTIAN FAITH SCHOOL
2ND Helena Cho, Christian Faith School
3RD Sam Hunt, Decatur High School
Tourist attraction
1ST PLACE
DASH POINT STATE PARK
2ND Wild Waves Theme & Water Park
3RD Abbe Vineyard & Winery
Service
Adult in-home care
1ST PLACE
COMFORT KEEPERS
2ND Visiting Angels
3RD Life Care Center of Federal Way
Bank
1ST PLACE
COLUMBIA BANK
2ND HomeStreet Bank
3RD Chase Bank
Barber shop
1ST PLACE
GREAT CLIPS
2ND Sport Clips
3RD Twin Lakes Hair Salon
Bartender
1ST PLACE
TAWNA GOGOLIN, SALTY’S AT REDONDO
2ND Dainis Svarcs, Abbe Vineyard & Winery
3RD Jen Rosentrater, Time Out Ale House
Chiropractor
1ST PLACE
LIFE & HEALTH CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE CENTRE
2ND Ball Chiropractic
3RD Wolf Chiropractic
Credit union
1ST PLACE
BECU
2ND Qualstar Credit Union
3RD Red Canoe Credit Union
Day center
1ST PLACE
BROOKLAKE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
2ND Christian Faith School Early Education
3RD St Luke’s Lutheran Church Daycare
Dentist
1ST PLACE
DR. DAN SHOOP
2ND Dr. Mo Mahoutchi
3RD Dr. Stacy Kanda
Financial advisor
1ST PLACE
DAN ALTMAYER
2ND Barney Hartley
3RD Wyman & Associates
Fitness facility
1ST PLACE
ILOVEKICKBOXING
2ND Temple Fitness
3RD Federal Way Community Center
Funeral services
1ST PLACE
FUNERAL ALTERNATIVES
2ND Bonney Watson
3RD Yahn & Sons
Hair salon
1ST PLACE
SALON PARENTE
2ND The Hair Lounge
3RD 8th Day Spa
3RD Twin Lakes Hair Salon
Health care clinic
1ST PLACE
VIRGINIA MASON
2ND St Francis Hospital and Medical Center
3RD Seattle Children’s Hospital in Federal Way
Health care professional
1ST PLACE
DR. KIERAS, VIRGINIA MASON
2ND Michelle Chaney, R.N.
3RD Dr. Dan Shelton
Insurance agent
1ST PLACE
CHAD ERWIN, ALLSTATE
2ND Jack Stanford, Stanford Insurance
3RD Brady Nelson, State Farm
Massage/day spa
1ST PLACE
LIFE & HEALTH CHIROPRACTIC & MASSAGE CENTRE
2ND 8th Day Spa
3RD Massage Envy
Mortgage agent
1ST PLACE
JODI LANGLEY, CMG FINANCIAL
2ND Jennifer Buckholz, CMG Financial
3RD BECU
Nail Salon
1ST PLACE
8TH DAY SPA
2ND Nail Gallery & Spa
3RD Nails Tek
Real estate agent
1ST PLACE
CARI FRANKLIN
2ND Lori DeVore
3RD Sarah Asay
Residential painter
1ST PLACE
FIVE STAR PAINTING
2ND Gonzales Painting
3RD Steve Brown
Senior living facility
1ST PLACE
VILLAGE GREEN RETIREMENT
2ND Brookdale Foundation House
3RD Mill Ridge Village
Tutor
1ST PLACE
SYLVAN LEARNING
2ND Kumon Math and Reading Center of Federal Way
3RD Multi-Service Center
Veterinarian
1ST PLACE
TWIN LAKES VETERINARY HOSPITAL
2ND Cascade Veterinary Hospital
3RD Sacajawea Healthcare For Pets
Waiter
1ST PLACE
ERIN KEELEY, SALTY’S AT REDONDO
2ND Dustin Vistante, Puerto Vallarta
3RD Tristan Gamble, Salty’s at Redondo
Shopping
Auto deal
1ST PLACE
JIM’S DETAIL SHOP
2ND Car Toys
3RD Pro Touch Auto Interiors
Auto repair shop
1ST PLACE
SPARKS CAR CARE
2ND Eagle Tire and Automotive
3RD Northshore RV & Auto
Doggie daycare/groomers
1ST PLACE
THE SOGGY DOGGY
2ND Biscuits
3RD Big Dog Little Dog
Gift store
1ST PLACE
BRANCHES GARDEN CENTER
2ND Amy’s Hallmark
3RD Buds & Blooms
Jewelry store
1ST PLACE
JEFFERY’S JEWELRY DESIGN STUDIO
2ND Federal Way Custom Jewelers
3RD Fred Meyer Jewelers
Nursery & Garden
1ST PLACE
BRANCHES GARDEN CENTER
2ND Edgewood Nursery
3RD Fred Meyer Garden Center
Pet store
1ST PLACE
MUD BAY
2ND PetSmart
3RD Petco
Tire store
1ST PLACE
LES SCHWAB #378
2ND Eagle Tire & Automotive
Deputy Mayor Susan Honda was recognized as the best city leader. Olivia Sullivan/staff photo
Capt. Jeff Bellinghausen, community affairs officer for South King Fire & Rescue, won best firefighter. Olivia Sullivan/staff photo
A Five Star Painting representative receives the first-place award for best residential painter. Olivia Sullivan/staff photo
Village Green Retirement representatives accept the first-place award for best senior living facility. Olivia Sullivan/staff photo
East India Grill representatives win a first-place award for best India food. Olivia Sullivan/staff photo
Funeral Alternatives representatives win best funeral services. Olivia Sullivan/staff photo
Eddie Howard (second from right), who leads the Credible Messengers program in Federal Way, won Story of the Year for his work with at-risk youth.
(Left to right) Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce CEO Becca Martin, Abbe Winery sommelier Dainis Svarcs, chamber membership and community relations manager Rachel Porter, Mirror reporter Haley Donwerth, Mirror sales representative Linda Staples and community volunteer Janice Seibenaler make a toast to Federal Way’s finest. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
Attendees enjoy Mexican cuisine from Azteca. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
Sub Zero dishes up tasty ice cream. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
Attendees enjoy food and festivities during the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
Attendees mingle and check out more than 20 vendors during the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
A group of winners pose for a photograph at the end of the event. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda
