The Fresno Chapter of the California Restaurant Association will present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Sam Toledo at the 2026 Best of the Valley Restaurant Awards. The event, which recognizes outstanding Central Valley restaurants in a range of categories, will also honor Hall of Fame inductees Bob Farrar, Franco Paolili, and Virginia Paolili.
The Best of the Valley Restaurant Awards has highlighted the region’s dining establishments for more than three decades. For 2026, nominations opened on January 1 and are selected by restaurateurs and members of the dining community.
Tickets to the event are available to both the public and media. Members of the press who wish to attend can contact Jessica Roots at 916.431.2765 or jroots@calrest.org.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for March 24, 2026, at Table Mountain Casino Resort in Friant, California.
According to the California Restaurant Association, “The California Restaurant Association provides ultimate access to the resources and support that neighborhood restaurants need to lead thriving businesses while serving as conscientious, contributing members of an unparalleled industry.” The association notes that eating and drinking places in California generate over $200 billion in sales each year and employ nearly 1.4 million workers, making restaurants a significant part of the state’s economy.
