Appen Media hosts annual Best of North Atlanta Awards Gala

Hundreds of award-winners filled the Forsyth Conference Center at Lanier Technical College Oct. 26 for their turn to walk down the red carpet and receive their honors at Appen Media Group’s 2023 Best of North Atlanta Awards Gala.

The black-tie gala celebrates the honorees of the Best of North Atlanta contest, chosen by the public.

The North Atlanta community has a month to nominate businesses for each category — Food & Beverage, Retail, Recreation, Medical, Services and People & Community.

Following the nomination period, the North Atlanta community has a one-month window to vote. 

The top two vote-getters in each category receive a certificate, window cling and bragging rights in their community.

With more than 500 guests, the event featured live music from Grammy-nominated composer John Burke, dinner and dessert from A&S Culinary Concepts and Nothing Bundt Cakes and refreshments from Cork & Glass and Six Bridges Brewing.

Each year, the contest becomes a little more significant and competitive.

The contest received 107,000 votes from residents of Alpharetta, Forsyth County, Johns Creek, Milton and Roswell, which surpasses the record set last year.

Last year, the Best of North Atlanta gala returned after a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appen Media Publisher Hans Appen said he thinks the post-pandemic rust has worn off the North Atlanta community. 

“The one thing I keep hearing over and over again is that we’re focused forward,” Appen said. “We’re looking at growth, we’re hiring new people, and we’re growing our products.”

Before the awards show, gala attendees and award-winners shared their story and gratitude for recognition.

First-time winner Neryk Zavulunov won first runner-up the past two years for Best Barber Shop in North Atlanta. 

Zavulunov opened Jack and Sons Barber Shop’s Roswell location in 2010. He now has two more locations in Johns Creek and Cumming.

“I started the shop, but I named it after my pops,” Zavulunov said. “He still works with me at all the locations.”

If old school vibes, top tier services and vintage barber chairs interest you, Jack and Sons Barber Shop is the place to go.

“You can have the best haircut, if you stop by and check us out,” Zavulunov said.

Jack and Sons Barber Shop was one of many family-owned businesses celebrated at the gala.

A&S Culinary Concepts, winner of Best Catering and Best Corporate Activity, provided hors d’oeuvres, dinner and dessert at the gala.

The owner and chef of A&S Culinary Concepts, Andrew Traub, said he enjoyed the opportunity to win two awards at an event he and his company catered. 

Traub said the gala is a great forum for corporate networking and catching up on community news. 

For the past three years, A&S Culinary Concepts has taken home the top prize for Best Catering. 

“We know our food’s good,” Traub said.