Niamh O’Donovan and Sam Poole are all smiles as Daniel O’Connell’s hands out Shepherd's Pie during the Best in Business Awards reception.
Sponsored by Burke & Herbert Bank, the event recognized businesses in several categories, including small, medium and large businesses of the year. Scott Shaw, a restaurateur, developer and philanthropist, was honored as the Business Leader of the Year.
Following a scaled back virtual event in 2020, the Academy Awards of the business community returned to an in-person reception featuring tastings from local restaurants.
The 2021 Best in Business honorees are: Business Leader of the Year -- Scott Shaw of Alexandria Restaurant Partners; Overall Business of the Year -- Building Momentum; Small Business of the Year -- (tie) fibre space and The Jen Walker Team; Medium Business of the Year -- Your Dog’s Best Friends; Large Business of the Year -- Jack Taylor’s Alexandria Toyota; Nonprofit/Association of the Year -- ACT for Alexandria; Rising Star Business of the Year – NerdstoGo.
Photos by Kip Radt & Joy Asico/Jason Dixson Photography![](http://connection.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/uploads/froala_editor/images/AX111721-711.jpg)
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