Annnnndddd the winner of this year含羞草研究社檚 Best Employer award goes to Central Kitchen + Bar.

Co-owner Jared Lee couldn含羞草研究社檛 believe it when he heard Central含羞草研究社檚 name called to claim a Small Business B.C. Award, on Wednesday night in Vancouver.

含羞草研究社淚 wasn含羞草研究社檛 expecting it and then our name got called. I was like 含羞草研究社極K? I guess I have to go up and give a speech now,含羞草研究社� he said.

The Small Business competition started in October, and Lee said the restaurant was nominated for a few categories but headed into the final top-five aiming for Best Employer.

The finals were done in a Dragon含羞草研究社檚 Den format. Competitors pitched their businesses to a panel of judges before being put under the fire in a Q and A.

Lee and his business partner, Devon Murray, spent a week prepping for the live pitch and getting organized.

含羞草研究社淲e felt pretty good about it, pretty confident. We presented to the best of our ability,含羞草研究社� said Lee.

含羞草研究社淚t was nerve-racking and at the same time, the judges were incredible,含羞草研究社� he added the duo became emotional during the pitch.

Lee is especially grateful to his employees.

含羞草研究社淲e wouldn含羞草研究社檛 be here without them. They含羞草研究社檙e the most important people for sure.含羞草研究社�

With the title comes with an all-access pass to seminars, workshops and direction from Small Business B.C.

The business has been running for two and a half years and the title has taken the restaurant to new heights.

The bar is now set higher for Central, said Lee, 含羞草研究社渋t含羞草研究社檚 motivation.含羞草研究社�

Comfort is the theme when working at Central, carrying a ground-up approach with happy staff before profits.

含羞草研究社淲ith that comes a more productive server and more productive bartender,含羞草研究社� said Lee.

The vision was to be a Central hangout spot for Kelowna locals, a place they can visit after home and work.

含羞草研究社淥ur mission is creating unforgettable experiences every time people come in,含羞草研究社� said Lee.

Everything is made in-house from the sauces to burgers, he said.

含羞草研究社淏eing a strong, inspiring and supportive employer is one of the most important components to owning your own business. Congratulations to Central Kitchen + Bar for winning the Best Employer Award at this year含羞草研究社檚 Small Business BC Awards, and congratulations to every nominee and participant 含羞草研究社� each of you deserves recognition for your contributions to our communities.含羞草研究社�

TruShield is proud to partner with Small Business BC and continues to support the hard-working entrepreneurs of British Columbia,含羞草研究社� said executive vice president of TruShield Insurance Tony O含羞草研究社橞rien.

The restaurant is located at 1155 Ellis St.