Photo by Gary Kohatsu
Cherrystones Grotto and Grill captured the top prize in the professional category of the chili cook-off on Oct. 16.
From left are Mayor Pro Team Rodney Tanaka, Recreation and Human Services Director Stephany Santin, Gardena
Police Chief Mike Saffell, Mayor Tasha Cerda, Cherrystone’s owner Leonard Kim, wife Audrey Kim, Gardena
City Manager Clint Osorio, Councilman Art Kaskanian and Greg Tsujiuchi, Gardena’s community development
director. Kim was honored on Feb. 1 by city officials, who presented his restaurant with a special winner’s banner.
Cherrystones’ signage shows off the restaurant’s prowess as serving the No. 1 chili dish in town. This was the city’s inaugural chili contest and Cherrystones beat out three other professional eateries.the Cherrystones team that claimed top prize at the Harvest Festival chili cook-off. From left are Joey Kim, Cherrystones owner Leonard Kim and chef Jaime Sanchez. Photos by Gary Kohatsu
