Without question, word of mouth is a powerful tool when it comes to advertising a service or business (second only to advertising in the Langley Advance) [wink, wink, nudge, nudge].

So let’s perpetuate that word-of-mouth concept. I’m going to encourage you to tell us about your favourite Langley businesses.

For the 13th year in a row, the Langley Advance is running its Best of the Best contest, and for this program to be effective we depend on you – the readers – to share your views.

I have to tell you that it carries a lot of weight for me when I walk into a business and see that framed award (or in some cases multiple awards) proudly posted on the wall.

It immediately tells me that average consumers – like me – have and will continue to visit that business. It’s a sign that the company offers quality service and/or products.

If you’ve never been a judge before , here’s your chance. And the voting process is relatively easy.

You can fill out the ballot on page A23 of today’s edition, or you can go online to www.langleyadvance.com, and click on the Best of the Best icon near the bottom right (under Features).

Don’t worry about filling out each of the 100-plus categories. But definitely list the businesses that have made a lasting impression on you.

Note there are three new categories this year.

We’re asking about your favourite fish and chip restaurant, the best local winery, and the top ice cream joint in Langley.

The deadline for voting is 5 p.m. on June 15. Then over the course of the following weeks, the votes will be tabulated, and the winners will be announced in a special edition of the Langley Advance on Aug. 31.

Bacchus Bisto brings home bronze

More than 700 of the city’s chefs, sommeliers and food critics gathered last week at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel for the 21st annual Vancouver magazine restaurant awards.

The gala brought them together to celebrate excellence in B.C.’s culinary industry, and Langley’s Bacchus Bistro – located at the Domaine de Chaberton – brought home a bronze in the best winery/vineyard dining category.

“Between the Olympics and the recession, it’s been a whirlwind year in the food and beverage industry,” said Vancouver magazine editor-in-chief, Gary Stephen Ross.

“Yesterday’s event offered everybody a well-deserved break and an opportunity to socialize, have fun, and reflect on their successes,” he said Wednesday.

Blue Water Cafe + Raw Bar took top honours, being named Restaurant of the Year and winning gold in the best seafood category. It was also a finalist in best service, best regional, and best formal Japanese (Raw Bar at Blue Water).

Blue Water’s chef, Frank Pabst, was also recognized as Chef of the Year, having played an integral role on Vancouver’s culinary scene since 1993. Originally from Germany, Pabst worked at Lumière and Pastis before joining Blue Water in 2003.

Sinclair Philip was honoured with the lifetime achievement award, while his Sooke Harbour House won best on Vancouver Island. Since opening their restaurant and inn 31 years ago, he and his wife Fréderique have been internationally lauded for their pioneering use of fresh, local ingredients, many from their own garden.

In a year that saw a variety of exciting new openings, Campagnolo won the title of best new restaurant.

Thai hotspot Maenam took silver, while Jean-Georges’s Market won bronze, as well as nabbing design of the year.

Perennial favourites Vij’s, Le Crocodile and Tojo’s won as best Indian, best formal French and best formal Japanese, respectively.

CinCin and Araxi reclaimed their titles of best last course and best Whistler. Uva Wine Bar took gold as best bar/lounge.

DLMA draws big crowd

There was an unexpectedly high turn out at the Downtown Langley Merchants’ Association annual general meeting last week.

A total of 116 Business Improvement Area (BIA) members, guests, and dignitaries – who gathered in the ballroom of the Coast Hotel and Convention Centre – were treated to a mini Monte Carlo complete with a roulette wheel and table games before electing a new board of directors.

Seven DLMA directors have a year remaining in their two-year term, and four new directors were installed by acclamation on May 13.

The current board now includes: Craig Davies (Design One Graphics Group); Heather Jenkins (1 Fish 2 Fish); Karla Barton (McBurney Lane Furniture and Interiors); Sonya Perkins (Forever Yours Lingerie); Helene Causton (Choo Choo’s restaurant); Carol Ward (Westminster Savings); Doedy Reisler (Cascades Casino); Jaye Lyonns (Tribal Spirit Gallery); Kevin Staples (Scotia Bank); Carrie Thachuk (The Passionate Home); and Bob Foster (Krazy Bob’s Music Emporium).

For more about the DLMA, or the BIA, visit its website at: www.downtownlangley.com, or call executive director Teri James at 604-539-0133.

Raising dough for kids

Hats off to Cobs Bread, including the local store that raised just shy of $1,000 earlier this month with a two-day scone fundraiser.

For the second year in a row, Cobs raised dough for Big Brothers and Big Sisters mentoring agencies across Canada, donating 50 cents from the sale of every scone – including a new kid-approved banana chocolate chip version – on May 8 and 9.

Nation-wide, the food-based fundraiser put $25,122 into the mentoring agencies, that’s more than triple the amount raised in 2009.

Cobs Bread apparently places a high emphasis on learning and personal development by supporting and challenging its people to reach their full potential – values that align well with Big Brothers Big Sisters’ aim to help young people develop their self-esteem and reach their full potential through mentoring, said Langley Big Brothers Big Sisters executive director, Mary Reeves.

“We are so happy to have Cobs Bread supporting mentoring across Canada,” Reeves said.

“Not only is Cobs raising funds so local agencies can provide more children with the support of a positive role model, but they are also promoting the importance of mentoring and the need for more men and women to volunteer across the country.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters is committed to positively enhancing the lives of children. The company sees the partnership as a natural fit, said Cobs president Roger Gillespie.

“This is not a one-off relationship, Cobs is dedicated to working with Big Brothers Big Sisters going forward. It’s exciting to support an organization where you really feel like you are making a difference,” Gillespie said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies match children and youth with volunteer adult mentors who provide a positive influence in lives of these Littles when one is needed.

Currently, more than 27,000 children are being served by 135 agencies in more than 1,000 communities across Canada.

In 2009 the Langley agency served 169 children. With the many government cutbacks, not only does the group see an increased need for service, there is also a greater need for fundraising efforts.

Cobs Bread is part of a global bakery franchise network called Bakers Delight. An Australian owned company, Bakers Delight has been in operation for 30 years, with more than 700 bakeries across Australia, New Zealand and Canada, where the company trades as Cobs Bread.

There’s a few other Big events you might wish to add to your summer calendar. The local agencies is currently gearing up for their Prospera Movie Night on Aug. 13, and the Gold for Kids Sake on Aug. 19. More information is available at the website: www.bbbslangley.com.