In 2009, Parish Food and Goods won The Webby Award for Best Restaurant Site, which was chosen by the judging academy, and Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill won The Webby People's Voice Award, which was chosen by the public. Parish Food and Goods' five-word speech was "Here to design you taste." Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill's five-word speech was "Thanks for pulling our pork."
"The Webby Awards gives winners an exciting a chance to have their work celebrated on a global stage," David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards, said in a press release. "The Internet is becoming an even more integral part of the restaurant industry, and we are thrilled to honor the innovators that are leading the way."
Hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by the New York Times, The 13th Annual Webby Awards received nearly 10,000 entries from over 60 countries. Following this year's ceremony, the Webby channel was number-one on YouTube with more than 500,000 video views in its first day alone.
The Webby Awards is presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, a 550-person judging academy whose members include Vinton Cerf, R/GA's Chief Bob Greenberg, Virgin chairman Richard Branson, Martha Stewart, "Simpson's" creator Matt Groening, Arianna Huffington, and Harvey Weinstein.