‘Golden Spoon’ Awards in 2020 Go to Five South Walton Restaurants

December 18, 2020 By cathy

Five restaurants in South Walton County have been recognized in the Golden Spoon Awards this year.

The awards have been issued by Florida Trend Magazine for 50 years. It began as a guide to help travelers find dining experiences around the state that were a cut above.

Nowadays, the awards feature the classic Golden Spoon, which recognizes outstanding fine-dining restaurants that have demonstrated consistency in high standards and longevity, as well as a Golden Spoon Hall of Fame for repeat winners and a “Best New Restaurants” category for up-and-coming eateries.

South Walton boasted winners in all three categories: two Golden Spoons awardees, two hall-of-famers and one on the “Best New Restaurants” list.

Here are the local winners and what Florida Trend had to say about them:

Bijoux- Golden Spoon winner

“Between New Orleans and Florida’s corner of the Gulf, Bijoux brings fresh and simple seafood and dolls it up, too. Have fried oyster salad, blackened Brie or apple slaw before moving on to the likes of crab beignets and diver scallops with cheesy polenta cakes or cowboy rib-eye with mushroom ragout. Cool off with house-made sorbet.”

.Black Bear Bread ompany – Best New Restaurant winner

“The beloved bread bakers of 30-A have a new cub, and it has a taste for wine. The Cracker-style cottage next to the bakery has been handsomely redesigned to showcase natural and biodynamic wines and offer extra room for the bakery’s café and its menu of Stumptown coffee, breads, pastries and tartines (avocado/za’atar to smoked salmon with radish salad).”

Bud & Alley’s- Hall of Fame winner

“Heart of Seaside and the New Urban dining hall of South Walton since 1987; an edible amusement park on the boardwalk. Pizza, tacos, rooftop bars plus shrimp and grits or whole fish with arugula and new potatoes.”

FOOW (Fish Out of Water)- Hall of Fame winner

“FOOW delivers Gulf view and Gulf seafood sassied up with a strong Southern accent. Not just pimento cheese, but country ham, comeback sauce, candied bacon, sweet-tea chicken, catfish and hoppin’ John, too, add a solid taste of the land to the breeze of the sea.”

Vin’tij- Golden Spoon winner

“Todd Reber has been at it for more than 20 years and continues to refresh his vintage restaurant. Start with oyster and spinach crostini and move on to cumin-seared tuna or steak and collards. Weekend breakfast delivers blue corn pancakes and carnita posole as well as eggs, biscuits and vegan hash.”

Is the Health Crisis Driving Buyers to Leave Cities?

July 19, 2020 By cathy

The pandemic has caused consumers to re-examine the components that make up the “perfect home.” Many families are no longer comfortable with the locations and layouts of their existing homes. The allure of city life (more congested) seems to be giving way to either suburban or rural life (less congested). The fascination with an open floor plan seems to be fading as people are finding a need for more privacy while working from home.

Recently, news.com released a report that revealed how buyers’ views of listings are leaning heavily to more suburban and rural properties. Here are the year-over-year percentage increases in views per property type:

Urban – 7%
Suburban – 13%
Rural – 16%

In the report, Javier Vivas, Director of Economic Research for realtor.com, gives these numbers some context:

“This migration to the suburbs is not a new trend, but it has become more pronounced. After several months of shelter-in-place orders, the desire to have more space and the potential for more people to work remotely are likely two of the factors contributing to the popularity of the burbs.”

Realtor Magazine also just

that the desire to move is strongest in our city markets:

“Nearly 30% of respondents living in a high-density urban area say that the pandemic is prompting them to want to move by the end of the year…This is more than double the rate of those living in rural parts of the country, where residents are much more likely to stay put rather than to relocate.”

New Construction Also Seeing a Surge in Views

Since the pandemic has altered how consumers think about floor plans, builders are anticipating how future homes will change. In a

by Zillow, it was explained that:

Builders believe as people spend more time at home during the pandemic, buyers are realizing which features of their homes are working and not working.
Homebuilders predict open-concept floor plans will be a thing of the past, as people now value more walls, doors, and overall privacy.
New construction, which offers the chance to personalize home features, saw its listing page views grow by 73% over last May.

The Virus is Even Impacting the Luxury Second-Home Market

It appears that COVID-19 is impacting the luxury market too. In an article released last week titled,

, Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com reported:

“Stay at home orders and social distancing have put a new value on the extra space. We’re seeing this in the luxury market as well, which could mean there is renewed interest from high-end buyers to find a second-home that is within driving distance from their primary residence.

Much like the suburbs are gaining favor with home shoppers, second home markets are seeing increased interest from luxury buyers…Views of luxury properties accelerated 56% in The Hamptons, 28% in Palm Springs and 24% in Greenwich compared to January trends.”

Bottom Line

It appears that a percentage of people are preparing to leave many American cities. Some of these moves will be permanent, while others will be temporary (such as a getaway to a second home). In either case, many consumers are on the move. Real estate professionals are ready and willing to help in any way they can.

Ground Breaking at Destin’s Newest Beach Resort

February 10, 2020 By cathy

If you have driven through Destin’s exclusive Crystal Beach community in recent months, you have likely seen a flurry of activity underway at the site that will soon become the much anticipated Parkside at Henderson Beach Resort. Now that initial civil site work is completed, Dunavant Enterprises, The Premier Development Group (PDG) and The Premier Property Group (PPG) are excited to announce that a formal groundbreaking ceremony will be held Friday, February 7, 2020 beginning at 4 p.m.

The community is invited to commemorate the groundbreaking, and guests will receive complimentary valet parking upon arrival. Representatives from Dunavant Enterprises and The Premier Property Group will be in attendance to speak about the new project and upcoming plans for future expansion of Dunavant’s Henderson Beach Resort. Immediately following the groundbreaking ceremony, guests are invited to a reception on the Henderson Hotel Terrace to enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

The ceremony will initiate Phase 1 of the development, which includes three of the four planned buildings—the main Parkview Building overlooking the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico and two pool-view buildings—along with the resort pool. Notably, nearly two-thirds of the 32 residences that will encompass the first phase are already reserved within this distinctive retreat that will provide an elegant addition to the Henderson Beach Resort portfolio of accommodations.

Parkside at Henderson Beach Resort features one-, two- and three-bedroom residences. Floor plans are thoughtfully designed for easy, everyday living, and PPG’s commitment to quality construction means residences come with high-end stainless steel appliances, polished chrome plumbing fixtures, quartz countertops, all-wood cabinetry, frameless glass shower enclosures and a craftsman-style interior package. Residences are equipped with extras that include a wet bar and undercounter wine fridge as well as a generous balcony for entertaining or simply enjoying a quiet evening watching the sun set.

Owners and guests will also enjoy full access to the expansive Henderson Beach Resort amenities package that includes a full-service spa, fully-equipped fitness center with classes, multiple resort pools including a lazy river, poolside cabanas, free shuttle service and a private beach. An onsite kid’s club ensures parents get to unwind as their children enjoy daily camp and kid’s night out activities as well as live entertainment provided on the resort property. Bicycle, kayak, snorkel and paddleboard rentals are also available.

In addition to its upscale interior residence package, Parkside at Henderson Beach Resort is raising the bar on coastal condominium living through high-end concierge and valet services, in-room and poolside dining, daily cleaning, courtesy shuttles and beach chair and umbrella service. Two upscale restaurant options are offered on the property including Primrose and the area’s celebrated Beachwalk Café, Destin’s only fine dining located directly on the Gulf of Mexico. To engage in a more social atmosphere, Horizons octagon-shaped beachfront bar has quickly become a Destin hot spot for guests and locals alike. The resort also offers casual dining at Sea Level Poolside Bar and Grill, Sprinkles Ice Cream Shoppe, Beach Cantina grab and go offerings and the soon-to-be-built North Pool Bar and Grill.

On-site resort rental management and maintenance is available, and unit pricing begins in the low $500,000s.

Click here for all units available for sale in Parkside at the Henderson

Don’t Miss the Sandestin Gumbo Festival

February 10, 2020 By cathy

If you’ve never visited the Emerald Coast during the winter months, you’re missing one of the most popular off-season events in the area: the Sandestin Gumbo Festival. Entering its 31st year, the event coincides with the long President’s Day weekend, making it a perfect opportunity to take in the local sights and sample the area’s very best gumbo as offered by a number of Gulf Coast competitors.

The Sandestin Gumbo Festival, which kicks off the local festival season, happens at The Village of Baytowne Wharf, where the two-day event raises money to benefit the Sandestin Foundation for Kids (SFK). Last year’s event raised $3,300 for SFK, which provides immediate support to children throughout the community and abroad.

This year’s event kicks off Friday, Feb. 14 at Hammerhead’s Bar & Grille with a neighborhood seafood boil, drinks, and live entertainment at 5 p.m. The main event happens Saturday, with the gumbo cook-off and family activities, as well as live music from Dikki Du and the Zydeco Krewe.

Participants bring a variety of recipes, each with its own unique spin and a variety of secret ingredients, with most repeat participants bringing a new offering each year. In years past, competitors reported beginning the cooking process on Thursday prior to the event and bringing 50 gallons of gumbo to share. Visitors can sample a wide variety of gumbos and vote for their favorite as the “People’s Choice” winner. And, back by popular demand after its introduction last year, the event includes the Best Bloody Marys at the Beach competition, where connoisseurs can sample them all and vote for one participant to win the coveted title.

Celebrity judges will determine the gumbo winners in multiple categories, like Veteran’s Award, Best 1-5 Years, Best Non-Restaurant, Best Display, and Best New Participant. Last year’s People’s Choice award winners were Crab Island Cantina, Dewey Destin’s, and Slick Lips, with Crab Island Cantina also taking home the title of Best Bloody Mary at the Beach. This year, however, with a new round of competitors for 2020, the results could look very different.

The Sandestin Gumbo Festival, nicknamed Pursue the Roux, is a rain-or-shine family-friendly event, so pack your gear and make plans to join in the fun. The main event lasts from noon to 4 p.m. on Feb. 15, with award presentations beginning at 4. General admission tickets are available on the

for $35 until Feb. 14. Ticket prices are $45 on the day of the event. This event could sell out, so grab your tickets now.

In preparation for the big event, try out this gumbo recipe from 98 Bar-B-Que, the

33 quarts water

2 cups olive oil

4 ounces shrimp or clam base

2½ cups all-purpose flour

½ cup chopped garlic

2 tablespoons cayenne pepper

1 pound chopped okra

2 tablespoons black pepper

1 cup diced onion

3 tablespoons salt

1 cup diced green pepper

2 tablespoons thyme

1 cup diced red pepper

7 tablespoons gumbo filé powder

1 cup diced celery

3 tablespoons blackening seasoning

½ cup chopped parsley

½ pound butter

½ cup chopped green onion

4 cups cooked rice

1 24-ounce) can diced tomatoes

3 lbs 26- to 30-count shrimp (peeled, tail off)

Heat water and shrimp/clam base in a large soup pot; bring it to boil and let it reduce.

While water is heating, pour oil into skillet about 1 inch from starting point and heat on medium. Once oil starts to warm, add flour with a whisk slowly; continue to mix until all lumps are dissolved. Mix the flour and oil mixture (roux) about every 10 minutes until it browns and begins to have a nutty aroma.

Once the stock has reduced, add garlic, okra, peppers, onions, and celery; then add tomatoes. Bring back to a boil and then simmer. (Remember to stir the roux.) Add gumbo filé and shrimp.

Reduce the heat to low and slowly add the roux to the stock mixture with a whisk. Add as little or as much roux as you like to make it thinner or thicker. Add spices, mix well and add butter.

Serve gumbo over cooked rice and garnish with chopped parsley and green onion.

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Sinfonia Gulf Coast A Musical Legacy

December 13, 2019 By cathy

Sinfonia Gulf Coast

A legacy of entertainment, education and giving back

In 2020, Sinfonia Gulf Coast will celebrate its 15th year of bringing world-class music and entertainment to the Emerald Coast. Demetrius Fuller founded the organization 14 years ago with a vision of introducing the area’s first stand-alone, fully-professional symphony, and since that time, he has helped redefine the cultural landscape of Northwest Florida through more than 575 “inspiring and artistically evocative” performances that have reached over 350,000 patrons.

“We started with a mission and vision to educate, inspire and entertain,” Fuller said. “But, the level of artistry that we’ve been able to produce from Sinfonia’s concerts and events has been pretty mind-blowing.”

From names like Vanessa Williams—headlining Sinfonia’s recent November gala—and Roberta Flack to Bernadette Peters and Patti Lupone, Sinfonia’s reach has exceeded Fuller’s expectations. He credits the success to a supportive community.

“This community allows us to be able to produce this caliber of artistry. We have a very supportive corporate community and patron following,” Fuller said.

Concerts and events are just one component of Sinfonia’s mission, Fuller emphasized, pointing to his passion for music education. Sinfonia Guest Artists in the Schools program currently includes a collaborative partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Institute of Music called Link Up. The program is provided free of charge and features a year-long curriculum that culminates with a live recorder performance with the Sinfonia orchestra. In 2019, approximately 3,600 third-fifth graders in Okaloosa and Walton counties participated in the program.

“It’s always one of my favorite memories from Sinfonia—just to see and hear all the kids. If you ever wonder what 2,000 recorders sound like at one time…it’s a sound only a mother could love,” Fuller laughed.

Music outreach is not limited to the classroom. Sinfonia musicians are frequently seen out in the community, whether that be at nursing homes or the library, interacting and performing. Notably, Fuller himself is very active in the community serving as a Trustee of the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, a board member with both the Okaloosa Arts Alliance and Alaqua Animal Refuge and as the past chair of the American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Ball.

Fuller is a versatile conductor who has worked with some of the world’s most prestigious conductors and orchestras. An advocate of contemporary music, he has premiered, commissioned or collaborated with such names as Augusta Read-Thomas, Dorothy Hindman, Thomas Schneller and Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon. Fuller is also an accomplished clarinetist and award recipient from the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts, the Werner Foundation and the International Music Foundation.

Looking ahead, Fuller noted that Sinfonia’s 15th year will mark new campaigns to create the kind of sustainability that ensures the organization remains viable for the long-term. High on his list is a home venue for Sinfonia that will help advance not only the caliber of events but also the organization’s education efforts.

Upcoming Sinfonia opportunities:

Holiday Pops feat. Matthew Morrison

Village Baptist Church, Destin FL
Friday, December 13, 2019, 7:30 p.m.

Classical Connections feat. Van Cliburn Bronze Medal Winner Daniel Hsu

Village Baptist Church, Destin, FL
Saturday, February 1, 2020, 7:30 p.m.

Jurassic Park in Concert

Emerald Coast Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Saturday, May 16, 2020, 7:30 p.m.

Sinfonia Events

The Premier Property Group-The Premier 30A Brokerage

November 11, 2019 By cathy

November 7, 2019 by The Premier Property Group

Defining a Premier Brand

A behind-the-scenes look at how The Premier Property Group distinguishes itself in the market.

Consumers have more information at their fingertips than ever before. In an age where the noise flooding any marketplace can be deafening, how does a company effectively break through and make a connection with its audience?

The answer starts with the right foundation: a company’s brand. Recently, Paul Landers, creative director with The Premier Property Group (PPG), shared his insights on the importance of branding and how the executive team at PPG is strategically positioning itself for sustainable success as a luxury real estate company within the Emerald Coast’s crowded marketplace.

“Branding goes far beyond a company’s consistent use of color or a consumer’s ability to recall a logo or graphic element. It equates to a promise,” Landers said. “The PPG brand should embody a great customer experience and be compelling, honest, distinctive and proprietary. The Premier brand is, after all, what our customers say it is, not what we say.”

PPG along with its sister divisions, Premier Commercial Group and Premier Development Group, all operate under the umbrella of the parent company, The Premier Group. In a market of just over 4,800 real estate professionals (just in Walton County) all vying to earn the trust of buyers and sellers, Landers noted that PPG is differentiating its brand in the following ways:

Quintessentially Local

PPG is one of the top locally-owned, independent real estate sales firms in Northwest Florida. That characteristic brings many advantages, according to Landers. “Number one, we know our communities inside and out,” he said. “In addition, PPG is not governed by a headquarters five states away that may or may not understand the nuances of our market. If we need to adjust strategy based on what’s happening across the communities we serve today, our team has the power and flexibility to do that.”

Global Visibility

PPG may maintain its operations on the Emerald Coast, but its team has global reach. Landers emphasized that a key differentiator for the company is its designation as the only local real estate group to be invited to become part of Luxury Portfolio International and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. PPG listings are marketed in over 52 countries worldwide and across 500 websites—an important feature that ensures high-end real estate reaches the right audience.

Proven Track Record

A consistent leader of area sales, PPG has been ranked in the top 10% of luxury sales from the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors since its first year of operation. The company serves some of the Gulf Coast’s most sought-after communities including South Walton, Scenic Highway 30A, Destin, Niceville and Panama City Beach. Landers noted that this success comes from understanding its audience and narrowing its marketing focus to meet the needs of luxury buyers and sellers.

Next-Generation Marketing Techniques

The way companies reach their constituents is evolving rapidly in tandem with technological advancements. Not only must PPG continually adjust its own marketing strategies, but it must offer buyers and sellers of luxury real-estate access to forward-thinking marketing techniques as well. “Communication must make a connection in today’s market. Otherwise, consumers will look elsewhere,” Landers emphasized. “At a time when connectivity has actually resulted in a more disconnected society, we are all looking for personalized experiences and want to relate to the human element of a company.”

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Cathy Turner

850.502.3422