More than 40,000 votes were cast by Langley Advance readers. The results have since been tallied and the results made public.

And a special reception Wednesday evening at The Redwoods Golf Course was all about personally recognizing those Best of the Best 2010 winners.

On an idyllic summer-like evening under tents overlooking the scenic Walnut Grove golf course, many winners gathered to receive a plaque and kudos for a job well done.

The Best of the Best is a competition in which the Advance readers cast a vote for their favourite businesses that exemplify excellence in customer service and quality products.

Winning Best of the Best is about much more than receiving a plaque to hang on the store wall, said Grant and Karen Hobbis, owners of Cap's Bicycles.

Sure, the well-recognized plaques instantly tell new customers they're in a quality store or shop. But for the Hobbises, it's a symbol of pride.

"It means we're doing a good job, and it means we have to continue to do a good job to maintain that high calibre of service and respect our customers have grown to expect" since Grant's father started up the business 78 years ago.

This family-operated business has won the prize at least a half dozen times in the past eight years in their Logan Avenue location, Grant said.

"I think it's just really cool the whole area likes us," Karen added. "We must be doing something right."

Re-Max Treeland Realty has won the Best of the Best award in Langley nine years running.

Keith Setter was elated, collecting the accolades on behalf of the 91 other realtors and support staff working out of the Willowbrook office.

"In our industry, it's different. To get recognized as Best of the Best is a real tribute," Setter said.

"We always try to serve our clients well, and we hope the customers recognize the extra effort" when it comes to buying or selling a home.

Although that extra effort is not about earning community accolades, Setter said, it's a nice bonus.

"We're very proud to have won this award steady nine years in a row," he said. "It confirms for people that we're a well-established, well-recognized, and well-respected group of realtors."

For Craig and Melanie McDougall, owners of the relatively new Frosting Cupcakery in downtown Langley City, being selected as the best bakery in town was a humungous honour.

"It's exhilarating," said Craig, literally beaming from ear to ear.

"We try very hard to bring the best possible products and service to the community. It sounds like the community likes what we're doing," Craig said.

For a small family-run business like theirs, customer satisfaction is huge, Melanie added, noting the award means as much - maybe more - than a recent industry victory where they were recognized for the best cupcake in all of the Lower Mainland.

Advance publisher Ryan McAdams, who kept the formal part of the reception short, commended all the winning businesses and thanked the readers.

"It's important for the citizens of the community - our readers - to have a voice: to say what businesses step up and go above and beyond with products and services," McAdams said. "And it's also important, here tonight, to recognize the winning businesses for all their hard work and dedication."

To the business owners present, he said "Our readers have spoken very loudly, and we hope you're very proud of your accomplishments. Congratulations."

There were 119 categories in the 2010 Best of the Best, with a few companies winning in multiple categories.

A full list of this year's winners was published in the Sept. 21 edition of the Langley Advance. More photos are online at www.langleyadvance.com.

rhooper@langleyadvance.com