Glam, Glitz, and Gatsby

On a crisp November evening, The Moon in Tallahassee transformed into a dazzling scene straight out of the Roaring ’20s as more than 500 attendees gathered to celebrate the 2024 Best of Tallahassee winners. This annual gala, hosted by Tallahassee Magazine, shined a spotlight on the winning businesses, nonprofits and individuals who make Florida’s capital an extraordinary place to live.

From the moment guests arrived on the red carpet, the night was nothing short of spectacular. Welcomed with a Birdie Cocktail—a canned vodka cocktail sweetened with monk fruit and natural citrus—attendees mingled under twinkling lights while two towering, feather-clad greeters set the tone for an evening of glamor and celebration. Birdie Cocktails, set to debut in Tallahassee in 2025, will surely be a refreshing staple for tailgate parties, boating days, and more.

Lance Stokes and Payton Troy with Birdie Cocktails. Photo by Gabriel Hanway

A Decadent Celebration

Spread by Social Catering. Photo by Gabriel Hanway

Culinary delights took center stage at the event. The VIP lounge, courtesy of Hayward House, featured savory bites like Blue Crab Salad Tarts and Chimichurri Steak Satay, while Social Catering, also crowned Best Catering, provided an impressive spread in the main event space, featuring flavorful creative dips, an array of meats and cheeses, and a vibrant assortment of hors d’oeuvres. Penta Tequila complemented the dining experience with sample sips of its premium spirits, adding a luxurious touch to the evening.

Live music filled the air as the Southern Jazz Collective opened the event with traditional 1920s jazz, complete with talented horn players that transported guests to a bygone era. Later, the crowd-pleasing Top Shelf Band—also recognized as the Best Band—brought infectious energy to the stage and the filled dance floor.

Drip Drop Fitness, the city’s Best Specialty Fitness Studio, surprised attendees with a lively flash mob performance, blending fitness with fun in true Tallahassee style. Meanwhile, Smile in Style Events kept spirits high with its whimsical photo booth, allowing guests to capture memories in both print and digital formats.

All dressed by Narcissus, our official clothing sponsor for the event: Sarah Villella, Jenna Gordon, Lori Yeaton, Julie Downs, Lauren DiMartino-Combs, Stephany Degeorge, McKenzie Burleigh, Renee Johnson. Photo by Gabriel Hanway

Honoring the Best
The evening highlighted winners across more than 100 categories, from health care to fashion, showcasing the best Tallahassee has to offer. Big Bend Hospice Foundation, named Best Nonprofit Organization, received a heartfelt moment in the spotlight. With a feathered hat perched jauntily on her head, President Dena Strickland expressed her gratitude, saying, “It was a privilege and honor to have been chosen as the Best Nonprofit in our community. This recognition will help us promote our services and continue providing compassionate care to patients and families.”

Dena Strickland with her team at Big Bend Hospice Foundation accepting the donation of media coverage as benefit of the Best of Tallahassee event from Tallahassee Magazine staff and Presenting Sponsor Ox Bottom Animal Hospital. Photo by Gabriel Hanway

The evening also served as a platform for giving back, with presenting sponsor Ox Bottom Animal Hospital, led by Lauren DiMartino-Combs, DVM helping to present Tallahassee Magazine’s $53,290 media donation to Big Bend Hospice Foundation. “I am honored to be here tonight celebrating with all of you,” DiMartino-Combs shared. “Congratulations to everyone for your hard work—it is well deserved. A special thank you to my incredible team for their love and care for the animals in our community. We love you, Tallahassee!”

A Spotlight on Sponsors
The event’s success would not have been possible without its dedicated sponsors, including Florida Blue, Capital City Bank (Best Bank), Metronet (Best Internet Provider), Crafty Crab Seafood and Social Catering and others. John Gandy Events brought the Roaring ’20s theme to life with lavish decorations, floral arrangements, and sparkling gold accents that transformed The Moon into a scene straight from The Great Gatsby.

Adams Radio Group and The Greg Tish Show created buzz across local airwaves, ensuring the event’s wide reach. Midtown Print, honored as Best Printing/Copying Services, gifted each winner with a decal of the Best of Tallahassee logo—a thoughtful memento of their achievement.

Live! in Tallahassee’s Joel Silver interviewing Jennifer Powell, voted Best Photographer. Photo by Gabriel Hanway

LIVE! in Tallahassee brought an extra layer of excitement to the night, with TV hosts Joel Silver and Marsha Doll interviewing guests live from the red carpet and capturing the energy of the evening. The interviews aired on LIVE! in Tallahassee on Fox 49, where viewers could enjoy all the highlights, including the event’s recap video produced by their team.

A Night to Remember
Tallahassee Magazine publisher McKenzie Burleigh took to the stage midway through the event, delivering an uplifting speech that celebrated the winners and thanked the event’s sponsors. “We are so grateful for each of these winning businesses,” Burleigh said. “To watch the hard work of so many years culminate tonight is inspiring and heartwarming. This is the 46th year honoring Best winners, and a handful of businesses in here tonight have won each of those 46 years.”

Live music from the Top Shelf Band, voted Best Band. Photo by Gabriel Hanway

As the evening drew to a close, the Top Shelf Band kept the energy alive, ensuring everyone departed with smiles, memories, and perhaps a little bit of Gatsby-style glitter on their shoes.

“It was wonderful,” said Strickland of Big Bend Hospice. “The Tallahassee Magazine team did such a beautiful job at The Moon, making everyone feel so honored and special. It felt very celebratory.”

With swag bags in hand and hearts full of community pride, guests left knowing they had participated in an event that truly celebrates the resilience, creativity and camaraderie that define Florida’s capital city.

Follow this link for a complete list of this year’s winners.