Windsor Essex awards celebrate tourism leaders
A little bed and breakfast in Comber came out on top as the best B and B in Essex County in the Best of Windsor Essex awards on Wednesday.
“It’s a great honour just to be nominated because there’s more than 80 B and B’s in Essex County,” said Benjamin Leblanc-Beaudoin, the chef and owner of Iron Kettle Bed and Breakfast on County Road 46.
Iron Kettle beat out Inn 31 at Jack’s Gastropub in Kingsville, Mettawas End Bed and Breakfast in Kingsville, the Wandering Pheasant Inn on Pelee Island and Ye Olde Walkerville Bed & Breakfast in Windsor.
The awards were presented by Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island in a ceremony at the Chimczuk Museum Wednesday. The awards are based on the votes from more than 7,000 people who visited the website bestofwindsoressex.ca in January and February.
Leblanc-Beaudoin and his wife Ginette bought the Iron Kettle — located in a house built in 1876 — in 2014 and have overhauled the decor and landscaping on the property, which has housed a B and B since 1984.
“So to be recognized as the best by the people in the region is quite good because it means they recommend us to their families and friends. And word of mouth is the best way of advertising in the B and B world,” said Leblanc-Beaudoin.
Winner of Best Local Festival — Family and Fairs was the Harrow Fair, which turns 163 this year.
“My family is deeply rooted in the Harrow Fair so we’d like to thank everyone who nominated us and voted for us,” said Emma Anger, a junior director of the fair and whose grandmother Brenda is the fair’s president.
“We greatly appreciate it. We always knew the Harrow Fair was special. It’s nice to get some recognition.”
Anger’s family has been involved in the fair for at least four generations.
The Harrow Fair beat out the Essex Fun Festival, the LaSalle Strawberry Festival, Summerfest and the Ford fireworks in Windsor and the Tecumseh Corn Festival.
Here are the other 41 award winners: Best art gallery or art space: Art Gallery of Windsor Best Family-friendly attraction: Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens Best local festival — arts and music: Art In The Park Best coffee house: Anchor Coffee House Best winery experience: Pelee Island Winery Best YQG-made store: Urban Art Market Best chef-inspired dining: Jack’s Gastropub Best patio view: Viewpointe Estate Winery Best sweet treat: Sweet Revenge Bake Shop Best picnic spot: Point Pelee National Park Best Hotel: Caesars Windsor Best community art piece: Windsor Sculpture Park Best local attraction — gaming: Caesars Windsor Best local watering hole: Jack’s Gastropub Best clothing store: Freeds of Windsor Best mall: Devonshire Mall Best chicken wings: Rock Bottom Bar & Grill Best perch: Sandbar Waterfront Grill Best golf course: Kingsville Golf and Country Club Best two-wheeled adventure: Ganatchio Trail Best cultural or historical district: Walkerville BIA Best local attraction — historical: Fort Malden National Historic Site Best Local festival — food and drink: Carrousel of the Nations Best craft cocktail: F&B Walkerville Best entertainment venue — over 1,000 seats: Colosseum at Caesars Windsor Best breakfast: Twisted Apron Best global eats: Mazaar Lebanese Cuisine Best pizza pie: Armando’s Restaurant Best on-the-water activity: Urban Surf Co. Best walking, hiking or running trail: Point Pelee National Park Best museum or heritage space: Canadian Club Brand Heritage Centre Best local attraction — Sports: WFCU Centre Best brewery experience: Walkerville Brewery Best Windsor-Essex distillery experience: Wolfhead Distillery Best live music space — under 1,000 seats: Capitol Theatre Best burger joint: Mamo Burger Bar Best past house: Spago Ristorante E Pizzeria Best sandwich shop: The Carvery Best park or garden: Ojibway Nature Centre Best photo op: Willistead Manor Best cottage/campground: Sturgeon Woods Campground and Marina