Best Chef<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\nDon Bergeron, Bergeron\u2019s City Market \u2013 <\/span>16.04%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nChef Don Bergeron has been in the kitchen since he was only 5 years old, learning to cook from his grandmother. Now he mans the kitchen at his Jefferson Highway market, where locals flock for hot lunches and shop for frozen meals that save weeknight dinners. chefdonb.com<\/b><\/a>Runners-up<\/span><\/h6>\nJohn Folse, White Oak Estate and Gardens 14.81%
Barrett Meeks, Mansurs on the Boulevard 13.59%
Chris Motto, The Colonel\u2019s Club 12.36%
Patrick Trahan, Ruffino\u2019s Restaurant 11.24%<\/p>\n
Best Bar or Restaurant to Watch Sports<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\nWalk-On\u2019s Sports Bistreaux \u2013 <\/span>36.78%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nWith more than 6,000 screens across all Walk-On\u2019s restaurants, there\u2019s always a matchup to watch. Throw in a stacked beer lineup and a packed menu of tasty bites and you\u2019ve got a sports lover\u2019s dream. walk-ons.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\nSuperior Grill 12.76%
Big Mike\u2019s Sports Bar & Grill 11.06%
Pelican to Mars 10.75%
Court to Table 8.34%
Phil\u2019s Oyster Bar 8.34%<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.225batonrouge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/red-line.png\")
<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Visual Artist<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\nAmanda Farris \u2013 <\/span>24.36%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.225batonrouge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/IR-AmandaFarris_011-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nArmed with paintbrushes and a palette of rich hues, 25-year-old artist Amanda Farris creates textured oil paintings inspired by the world around her. Her recent subjects include flora like caladiums and palmetto leaves. amandafarrisart.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\nJacob Zumo 22.15%
Abe Negaran 14.99%
Loveday Funck 12.95%
Holly Sonnier Browning, Sonnier Fine Art 8.01%<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest News Personality<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\nKiran Chawla, Unfiltered with Kiran \u2013 <\/span>47.39%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.225batonrouge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/225-KiranChawla_018_COLOR-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nStaying up to date on local happenings is as easy as refreshing Kiran Chawla\u2019s site for crime updates, business news and other scoops. With two decades of reporting under her belt, Chawla\u2019s breaking stories have received awards and recognition, along with countless clicks and shares. unfilteredwithkiran.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\nSylvia Weatherspoon, WBRZ 25.42%
Johnny Ahysen, WAFB 12.58%
Abigail Whitam, WBRZ 9.92%
Mia Monet, WBRZ 4.69%<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Family-Friendly Attraction<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\nKnock Knock Children\u2019s Museum \u2013 <\/span>36.14%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.225batonrouge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/KnockKnockMuseum-August2025_0044-scaled-e1782132431882.jpg\")
At Knock Knock, it\u2019s always play time. The museum\u2019s 26,000 square feet provide ample space for imagination to run wild in 18 interactive Learning Zones. Explore the Art Garden, pop into the Bubble Playground, or bust a move in the B.R. Star Studio. knockknockmuseum.org<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\nBREC\u2019s Baton Rouge Zoo 24.53%
Court to Table 12.92%
Louisiana\u2019s Old State Capitol 5.59%
Chapple Farms 4.93%
The Play District 4.93%<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Radio Station<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\n100.7, The Tiger \u2013 <\/span>17.17%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nBaton Rouge traffic is a whole lot more bearable when listening to tunes. Looking for a country-music-soundtracked commute? Turn your dial to 100.7 and turn it all the way up. 1007thetiger.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\n92.7, K-LOVE 15.71%
98.1, Eagle 15.54%
104.5, ESPN 12.53%
102.5, WFMF 10.13%<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Live Music Venue<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\nChelsea\u2019s Live \u2013 <\/span>26.64%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.225batonrouge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/225-ChelseasLive_020_COLOR-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nFollow the call of the dance floor\u2019s disco ball to DJ-led themed nights and sold-out concerts at this music haven. For four years, Chelsea\u2019s Live has reimagined live music in Baton Rouge, curating a space that caters to artists and makes fans feel at home. Grab tickets. We\u2019ll meet you under the neon lights at 1010 Nic. chelseaslive.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\nLive After Five 26.53%
The Texas Club 20.53%
Manship Theatre 17.65%
The Colonel\u2019s Club 7.04%<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Photographer<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\nJordan Hefler \u2013 <\/span>30.36%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nDon\u2019t expect to receive a boring photo album from Jordan Hefler. The local photographer mixes creativity with her camera talent to produce dreamy, technicolor snaps for clients. Not confined to one muse, Hefler has built her career capturing the best sides of Baton Rouge events, famous musicians, sports stars, brands and more. jordanhefler.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\nJennifer and Dario Bolanos, Royal Rouge Photography 17.29%
Tailored Photos 8.20%
Glenn Eymard Photography 7.31%
Aaron Hogan, Eye Wander Photo 6.90%<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Place for a Date Night<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\nThe Colonel\u2019s Club \u2013 <\/span>14.23%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.225batonrouge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/225-ColonelsClub-NR_033-scaled-e1782332160356.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nGrab your boo and indulge in a romantic meal of apps, entrees and desserts before meandering over to the adjoining lounge for a nightcap of cocktails, espresso and live music led by piano. thecolonelsclub.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\nBLDG 5 13.22%
The Little Village 12.86%
Nino\u2019s 10.84%
Mansurs on the Boulevard 10.01%<\/p>\n
<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Performing Arts Group<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\nBaton Rouge Symphony Orchestra \u2013 <\/span>34.09%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\nA night at the symphony is anything but boring when BRSO takes the stage. Composed of talented wind, string and percussion musicians, this group commands an audience with sweet sounds and themed shows. Expect traditional compositions along with holiday classics, pop hits and movie scores. brso.org<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\nPlaymakers of Baton Rouge 17.66%
South of Central Band 8.68%
LA Dance Space 7.15%
Butterr Improv 6.24%<\/p>\n
This article was originally published in the July 2026 issue of <\/i>225 Magazine.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Chef Don Bergeron has been in the kitchen since he was only 5 years old, learning to cook from his grandmother. Now he mans the kitchen at his Jefferson Highway market, where locals flock for hot lunches and shop for frozen meals that save weeknight dinners. chefdonb.com<\/b><\/a> John Folse, White Oak Estate and Gardens 14.81% Walk-On\u2019s Sports Bistreaux \u2013 <\/span>36.78%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n With more than 6,000 screens across all Walk-On\u2019s restaurants, there\u2019s always a matchup to watch. Throw in a stacked beer lineup and a packed menu of tasty bites and you\u2019ve got a sports lover\u2019s dream. walk-ons.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Superior Grill 12.76% Amanda Farris \u2013 <\/span>24.36%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Armed with paintbrushes and a palette of rich hues, 25-year-old artist Amanda Farris creates textured oil paintings inspired by the world around her. Her recent subjects include flora like caladiums and palmetto leaves. amandafarrisart.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Jacob Zumo 22.15% Kiran Chawla, Unfiltered with Kiran \u2013 <\/span>47.39%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Staying up to date on local happenings is as easy as refreshing Kiran Chawla\u2019s site for crime updates, business news and other scoops. With two decades of reporting under her belt, Chawla\u2019s breaking stories have received awards and recognition, along with countless clicks and shares. unfilteredwithkiran.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Sylvia Weatherspoon, WBRZ 25.42% Knock Knock Children\u2019s Museum \u2013 <\/span>36.14%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n BREC\u2019s Baton Rouge Zoo 24.53% 100.7, The Tiger \u2013 <\/span>17.17%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Baton Rouge traffic is a whole lot more bearable when listening to tunes. Looking for a country-music-soundtracked commute? Turn your dial to 100.7 and turn it all the way up. 1007thetiger.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n 92.7, K-LOVE 15.71% Chelsea\u2019s Live \u2013 <\/span>26.64%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Follow the call of the dance floor\u2019s disco ball to DJ-led themed nights and sold-out concerts at this music haven. For four years, Chelsea\u2019s Live has reimagined live music in Baton Rouge, curating a space that caters to artists and makes fans feel at home. Grab tickets. We\u2019ll meet you under the neon lights at 1010 Nic. chelseaslive.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Live After Five 26.53% Jordan Hefler \u2013 <\/span>30.36%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t expect to receive a boring photo album from Jordan Hefler. The local photographer mixes creativity with her camera talent to produce dreamy, technicolor snaps for clients. Not confined to one muse, Hefler has built her career capturing the best sides of Baton Rouge events, famous musicians, sports stars, brands and more. jordanhefler.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Jennifer and Dario Bolanos, Royal Rouge Photography 17.29% The Colonel\u2019s Club \u2013 <\/span>14.23%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Grab your boo and indulge in a romantic meal of apps, entrees and desserts before meandering over to the adjoining lounge for a nightcap of cocktails, espresso and live music led by piano. thecolonelsclub.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n BLDG 5 13.22% Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra \u2013 <\/span>34.09%<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n A night at the symphony is anything but boring when BRSO takes the stage. Composed of talented wind, string and percussion musicians, this group commands an audience with sweet sounds and themed shows. Expect traditional compositions along with holiday classics, pop hits and movie scores. brso.org<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Playmakers of Baton Rouge 17.66% This article was originally published in the July 2026 issue of <\/i>225 Magazine.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\n
Barrett Meeks, Mansurs on the Boulevard 13.59%
Chris Motto, The Colonel\u2019s Club 12.36%
Patrick Trahan, Ruffino\u2019s Restaurant 11.24%<\/p>\nBest Bar or Restaurant to Watch Sports<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\n
Runners-up<\/span><\/h6>\n
Big Mike\u2019s Sports Bar & Grill 11.06%
Pelican to Mars 10.75%
Court to Table 8.34%
Phil\u2019s Oyster Bar 8.34%<\/p>\n<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Visual Artist<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\n
Abe Negaran 14.99%
Loveday Funck 12.95%
Holly Sonnier Browning, Sonnier Fine Art 8.01%<\/p>\n<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest News Personality<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\n
Johnny Ahysen, WAFB 12.58%
Abigail Whitam, WBRZ 9.92%
Mia Monet, WBRZ 4.69%<\/p>\n<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Family-Friendly Attraction<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\n
At Knock Knock, it\u2019s always play time. The museum\u2019s 26,000 square feet provide ample space for imagination to run wild in 18 interactive Learning Zones. Explore the Art Garden, pop into the Bubble Playground, or bust a move in the B.R. Star Studio. knockknockmuseum.org<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\n
Court to Table 12.92%
Louisiana\u2019s Old State Capitol 5.59%
Chapple Farms 4.93%
The Play District 4.93%<\/p>\n<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Radio Station<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\n
Runners-up<\/span><\/h6>\n
98.1, Eagle 15.54%
104.5, ESPN 12.53%
102.5, WFMF 10.13%<\/p>\n<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Live Music Venue<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\n
The Texas Club 20.53%
Manship Theatre 17.65%
The Colonel\u2019s Club 7.04%<\/p>\n<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Photographer<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\n
Runners-up<\/span><\/h6>\n
Tailored Photos 8.20%
Glenn Eymard Photography 7.31%
Aaron Hogan, Eye Wander Photo 6.90%<\/p>\n<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Place for a Date Night<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nRunners-up<\/span><\/h6>\n
The Little Village 12.86%
Nino\u2019s 10.84%
Mansurs on the Boulevard 10.01%<\/p>\n<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\nBest Performing Arts Group<\/em> <\/span><\/h3>\n
Runners-up<\/span><\/h6>\n
South of Central Band 8.68%
LA Dance Space 7.15%
Butterr Improv 6.24%<\/p>\n