Sarasota’s very own Banyan Tree Chocolate brought home multiple winning medals from a juried annual artisan chocolate awards, held on a prestigious level throughout North America. The International Chocolate Salon, which holds the ranking competition, was founded in 2007 by TasteTV and TCB Cafe Publishing and Media. Today, it is still renowned as one of the premier international bodies celebrating and honoring artisan and premium chocolates and confections with events held nationwide. Judges for the “Best of Salon” Awards Competitions include national and regional magazines, newspapers and blog editors, plus master chefs and food experts, many from the Academy of Media Tastemakers. The awards are based on the combined total number of votes received by each entrant from the Judging Panel. 

“I entered two of my gourmet truffles into the competition with the International Chocolate Salon—Hibiscus Liquid Caramel for ‘Best Caramels’ and Spicy Sunset for ‘Best Spicy Chocolate,’” says Morag Reid, founder and master chocolatier of Banyan Tree. Reid received her Master Chocolatier Certification in 2016 and has trained with Melissa Coppel and Richard Tango-Lowy—named two of the Top 10 Chocolatiers in North America. Her hand-crafted and hand-painted ganache bonbons take two to three days a batch to create, sourcing only fair trade-certified cocoa and all-natural flavoring ingredients. 

Results garnered the Hibiscus Caramel truffle—housemade caramel infused with hibiscus blossoms in a white chocolate shell—a Silver in Best Exterior Design, a Bronze in Best Packaging and a Gold in Most Unique. Meanwhile, the Spicy Sunset truffle—blood orange pate de fruit layered truffle with dark chocolate-chipotle pepper ganache—won the crowning prize for Top Spicy Chocolate. “Spicy Sunset melts fruity flavor, a creamy texture and the lightest hint of spice into a little piece of chocolate heaven,” the judges comment. It was recognized in other categories as, including a Bronze in Best Ingredient Combination, Bronze in Most Unique, a Gold in Best Taste and Gold in Best Flavor. 

The winners have the honor of being able to display and use the official TasteTV Winner Award title certification and logo merchandise in their store or with their products. “I was absolutely thrilled,” shares Reid.  “Our customers and clients are always saying how wonderful our chocolates are, but to receive recognition from such a prestigious organization really tells us what we do is top-notch.”  

Photo of the Spicy Sunset, courtesy of Morag Reid.

Fireworks ready, hot dogs cooked, flags out, beers chilled… but what to wear? The 4th of July has arrived and month-old Freck & Soar Boutique has you covered not only on Thursday, but all weekend long. Walk the beach in a Red Maxi Dress, cook out in a “Land That I Love” tee and party patriotically in a Navy Striped Jumpsuit. After a lifetime love affair with fabulous fashion, Sarasota-native Savannah Francis has hand-picked high style with reasonable prices on her digital storefront. From Stars and Stripes headbands and kimonos, to scalloped navy shorts and strappy red tops, celebrate from head to toe with Freck & Soar’s Independence Day Collection, with Americana tees and accessories currently 50% off.

Shop rompers, tops, dresses and bottoms in all styles online, and, for customers in the SRQ area, Francis will even make house calls to ensure the proper fit. Order now and local consumers will enjoy one-day delivery. 

Follow Freck & Soar Boutique on Instagram and Facebook @shopfreckandsoar, then shop online at the website below. 

Photo by Jenn Soos.

Freck & Soar Boutique

Clickbooth has announced the appointment of Brian Taylor to Vice President of Affiliates. Taylor has an extensive background in marketing and advertising, excelling in developing key relationships and providing support to the affiliate clientele of Clickbooth. Prior to joining Clickbooth, Taylor worked as a marketing representative for both Advanced Radiology Imaging Associates (2010 - 2013) and Rose Radiology (2013 - 2014). He joined Clickbooth in 2014 as a senior affiliate executive before accepting the position of Director of Network - Affiliates (2017 - 2019). In his new role as Vice President of Affiliates, he will oversee client relationships, develop new outreach opportunities, strategize lead generation and work closely with a team of account executives to manage customer experiences. 

Clickbooth

The Bay Park Conservancy has welcomed Mayor Alpert to the Conservancy Board and executive team. A family law attorney in Sarasota, Alpert has been practicing in Sarasota since her admission to the Florida Bar in September 2006, following her graduation from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport in December 2005. Two years prior, in 2003, Alpert was appointed to the City of Sarasota’s Human Relations Board where she served until 2007. She was then appointed to the City’s General Personnel/Civil Service Board where she served until her election to the Sarasota City Commission on May 12, 2015.

Alpert joins fellow Sarasotan Steven Cover, planning director for the City of Sarasota, who has been a part of the project from the beginning, served on the planning board during the design and planning phase, and has sat on the conservancy board since its inception in January. 

The Bay Park Conservancy

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has appointed new members and elected new officers to its board of directors, which guides, oversees and cultivates the organization’s strategic planning and operations.

Nelle Miller, co-founder of BizTank, will serve as chair, with Daniel DeLeo, a partner with Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, assuming the role of vice chair. Outgoing Chair Richard Gans, shareholder with Fergeson Skipper, will serve as treasurer and William M. Seider, partner with Williams Parker Harrison Dietz & Getzen, continues as secretary. Joining the board for three-year terms are Lynn Wentworth, retired financial executive currently serving as director on three public company boards, and Matthew Sauer, executive editor and general manager of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Wentworth also currently serves as a member of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Investment Committee.

Continuing their duties as board members are C.J. Fishman, Paul Hudson, Donna Koffman, Rodney Linford, Kelvin Lumpkin, Jeffrey McCurdy, Michael R. Pender, Jr., Richard Smith, Drayton Saunders, Felice Schulaner, Andrew Stultz, Marilyn Thompson, Terri Vitale and Mary Lou Winnick. 

Community Foundation of Sarasota County

Williams Parker has announced attorney Michael J. Wilson has been reappointed to serve as co-director of the Federal Tax Division of the Florida Bar for the 2019-2020 term. Wilson, a member of Williams Parker’s management committee and the firm's treasurer, practices tax, corporate and business law handling sophisticated tax planning and tax controversy matters and advising clients on significant business transactions. He serves as outside general counsel to businesses of all sizes in many industries. He is certified as a tax specialist by the Florida Bar and handles federal, state and international tax planning matters. Wilson also represents clients during the tax audit process, before the Internal Revenue Service Appeals Office, before the Internal Revenue Service National Office in requests for rulings and technical advice, before the Florida Department of Revenue in audits, appeals, and ruling requests, and before the United States Tax Court and the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. 

Williams Parker