Best of Kansas City
Drums roll. Trumpets blare. Confetti rains. It is time once again for Ingram's "Best of Business" in beloved Kansas City. Huzzah!
A tradition beginning way back with the Silver Ladle Awards that honored the best restaurants in the Kansas City metropolitan area in 1989, the contest has continued ever since, with nary a gap. The article is one of our readers’ favorites; we’re told with this issue they go straight to the cover story. That’s because our discerning readers eat at these great restaurants, are entertained at these venues, and use these business services and products.
It is no easy task to choose from the hundreds in each category. You’ll see repeats, showing that consistency can be rewarded. You’ll see some new names as well, demonstrating there’s always room at the top and you can never take your fame—or your customers—for granted. In the last 18 years, we’ve learned that people who can put all the elements together properly, whether it’s for a restaurant, entertainment or a business large or small, are the ones who succeed. That’s rewarding in itself for us to see.
What’s “best?” It’s selective, to be sure. It’s arbitrary. It’s perception of course. Even the definition can change year to year. But one thing is sure—if it’s Ingram’s “Best of Business Kansas City,” it reflects the will of the majority. Those many readers who submit their ballots are eager to make their voices heard, and here are, simply, their choices.
Of course, we sort of enjoy the suspense as the scores of ballots are tallied for the final winners. And given the calls we get after the vote is taken, we gather the businesses out there are also really curious. But we persevere, ignoring our personal favorites, of course. There were many close calls which the highest tally simply decided, sometimes to our surprise.
So thank you to all who voted, who commented as well, who gave us advice. We appreciate your input—as do all these winners. And to those of you who feel you should have made our list—take heart. Real winners never quit and there’s always next year . . .
Wining and Dining
Entertainment and Culture
Business Services
Business Products
