Every year we have a bash for the hard-working businesses/folk we’ve picked for our “Best of L.A.” issue. This time the Tropicana Pool & Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt provided a perfect backdrop for the top purveyors of punch, reweaving, homemade peanut butter, neighborhood blogging, and paddleboard instruction who showed up to see what exactly they had won (we didn’t tell them beforehand). It’s the only party I’ve been to where the invitation calls you a “winner,” someone brings lasagna cupcakes (that would be Heirloom LA, winner of Best Gourmet Food Truck), and people look at your chest (OK, that’s happened before) to check out your name tag. Svedka Vodka did the pouring, and there was fancy Voss water in your car when the valet brought it around. Everyone stayed long after the bash officially ended to celebrate their Best-ness. The August issue is now on newsstands, or you can buy the digital version here. Some of the winners appear below—congrats to all!