The Fresno Chapter of the California Restaurant Association will honor Sam Toledo with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Best of the Valley Restaurant Awards. The event is scheduled for March 24, 2026, at Table Mountain Casino Resort in Friant, California.
In addition to recognizing Toledo, this year’s ceremony will also induct Bob Farrar, Franco Paolili, and Virginia Paolili into the Hall of Fame. The awards program has been highlighting Central Valley restaurants for more than three decades by celebrating excellence across various categories.
Nominations for the 2026 awards opened on January 1 and are selected by both restaurateurs and members of the dining community. Tickets to the event are available to both the public and media representatives. Press interested in attending can contact Jessica Roots at 916.431.2765 or jroots@calrest.org.
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 California’s restaurant industry generates over $200 billion in sales annually and employs nearly 1.4 million people, underscoring its major role in the state’s economy.
