Josh Wurtsbaugh and Hector Gomez of Josh Wurtsbaugh Edward Jones. BETH SCHROEDER

Every year, the best businesses throughout the city of Cape Coral are celebrated for what they do best, whether it is serving the best ice cream, building the best homes or making the best martini.

On Monday, at Torched, those who work at these businesses gathered once again to pick up their reader-choice awards at the Cape Coral Breeze’s annual “Best Of” luncheon.

Laurie Ragle, advertising director at the Breeze, said the luncheon is a celebration of those who won the “Best Of” awards voted on by the community.

“Every year we have open voting for their favorite businesses in 200 different categories in Cape Coral. The winners get invited to this event,” Ragle said. “We publish a book with all the winners.”

It’s only fitting Torched would host, seeing that it won six awards this year: best live entertainment, restaurant, family dining, mac & cheese, vibe and most dog friendly.

Daryl Schroeder, Ocean Breeze Heating & Air Conditioning. PHOTO COURTESY OF DARYL SCHROEDER

Jeremiah Kuslock, owner of Torched, has made a name for his place after just three years in business and that it’s a great opportunity to meet other great business people.

“It’s an honor to hold an event like this where The Breeze gets involved. It represents the best companies in the Cape and it’s always a fun experience to interact with the different businesses at the top of their game,” Kuslock said.

Another big winner was Academy Home Kitchen & Bath and Academy Home Development, which also won six awards — aluminum repair, cabinetry, countertops, home renovation, kitchens and pool cage repair.

Rich Dantona, of Academy, said the awards are a testament to his staff and their commitment to excellence.

“We’re able to handle all the diversity of the company’s scope of work. We stay at the same level of quality without reducing the craftsmanship,” said Dantona, whose company won five awards last year. “Customer service is everything. Anyone can have a business. It’s after the sale. You keep the customer close. If you do that, your doors stay open forever.”

Trifecta Home Solutions. PROVIDED

Some winners have won the award numerous times.

Dr. Mel Youngs has taken home a “best of” 23 years in a row. This year, she won Best Chiropractor, Best Massage Therapy and Best Spa.

Youngs also credited her team.

“We have the best team. Our team cares. It’s all about quality in health care, which is so rare nowadays,” Youngs said. “Everyone in the building is there for one purpose: the patient.”

Another annual winner is the German American Social Club, which has won Best Social Club the past 10 years.

Suzie Zimmer said winning never gets old.

“It’s always exciting to learn that we won again. Sometimes we wonder if there’s another social club, but there are plenty of others,” Zimmer said. “People love to come to see us, especially our Oktoberfest and other festivals throughout the year.”

And then, there are the first- time winners.

Hannah Johnson, owner of Simply Golden Boutique, has only been in business a little over a year. But the boutique has attracted a loyal customer base and won for women’s apparel.

“It’s pretty exciting. I’m super thankful for those who voted and we hope this will increase the number of people who know about us,” Johnson said. “We spent a lot of time marketing ourselves. We have built a little family and everyone wanted to see us win.”

Another first-time winner, Marzia Rivera, won for the best CDB store, Physicians Cannabis Centers. She said she was thrilled to win because she has just started a new line of products.

“It’s new to Florida but not brand new. I have the licensing agreement for ‘Refers by Sublime’ (the ska-rock band). They have products based on songs like Santeria and Smoke Two Joints,” Rivera said. “I love winning. It was pure voting, and it was fantastic.”