The moment is here. Voting for the 2026 Idaho’s Best Awards is officially open, and this is when Idaho residents get a say in recognizing the businesses that truly stand out.
From longtime favorites to trusted local service providers, voting is your opportunity to support the companies that consistently deliver great experiences.
Voting Dates
🗓️ Voting is open February 10 through February 26
During this time, residents can visit our website and vote for their favorite businesses across multiple categories.
How Voting Works
Voting is simple, but meaningful:
Each person may vote once per category
Voting must remain fair and cannot be incentivized
Votes are combined with Google reviews from the past 12 months
Together, these factors help identify the businesses that have earned trust, loyalty, and strong community support.
Nominees: Time to Spread the Word
If your business is an official 2026 nominee, now is the time to let your customers know.
Helpful ways to encourage participation include:
Sharing your nomination on social media
Using the complimentary voting graphics in your dashboard
Mentioning your nomination in-store or during appointments
Sending a short email or text thanking customers and inviting them to vote
Support Local. Make It Count.
Voting is open now — head to our website and make your voice heard before voting closes on February 26.
How to Get Ready for the Idaho’s Best Voting Period
We’re officially in countdown mode. In just three days, voting for the 2026 Idaho’s Best Awards will open — one of the most important stages of the entire program.
If your business is an official nominee, now is the time to prepare. If you’re a supporter of local businesses, get ready to make your voice heard.
When Does Voting Open?
🗳️ Voting opens February 10 and runs through February 26
During the voting stage, Idaho residents can visit our website and vote to support the businesses they believe truly stand out. Voting is combined with Google reviews from the past 12 months to help determine which nominees rise to the top.
Nominees: How to Make the Most of Voting
Voting must remain fair and cannot be incentivized, but nominees are encouraged to spread the word. A little preparation now can make the voting period much more impactful.
Here are a few effective ways to prepare:
Share a post letting customers know voting is opening soon
Download and use the complimentary voting graphics in your dashboard
Mention your nomination during customer interactions
Plan a short email or text reminder once voting opens
Almost Time
Voting opens in just three days, and this is when the Idaho’s Best community really comes together. Whether you’re preparing to share your nomination or planning to vote, now is the time to get ready.
Being named a nominee means your customers have noticed your hard work. Use this checklist to stay on track and prepare for the next stages of the awards program.
✅ Step 1: Claim Your Nomination
Claim your company’s nomination on our website to access your dashboard, receive updates, and confirm your business information. 👉 Claimed nominations may be given preference in the event of a tie.
✅ Step 2: Review Your Business Information
Once logged in, confirm that your business name, category, address, locations, and contact details are accurate.
✅ Step 3: Download Complimentary Graphics
Use the promotional graphics in your dashboard on social media, your website, in-store signage, and email newsletters.
✅ Step 4: Prepare for Voting (Opens February 10)
You may encourage people to vote, but voting must remain fair and cannot be incentivized. Helpful ways to spread the word include:
Sharing the voting link on social media
Thanking customers and inviting them to vote
Posting signage in your business
Sending a friendly email or text
✅ Step 5: Encourage Google Reviews Year-Round
Google reviews from the past 12 months play a major role in the awards process. Consistent, honest reviews help strengthen your presence year after year.
✅ Step 6: Watch for Finalist Announcements
After voting closes, results are reviewed to determine which nominees move forward as finalists. Watch your email and dashboard for updates.
✅ Step 7: Plan Ahead for the Awards Ceremony
Finalists will be invited to celebrate at the Idaho’s Best Awards Ceremony, taking place April 7–8 in Boise. Once finalists are announced, we’ll share which categories will be recognized on each night.
Tickets will be available soon and are expected to sell out.
You’re On Your Way
By following this checklist, you’ll be fully prepared for the next stages of the 2026 Idaho’s Best Awards. We can’t wait to celebrate with you.
The Idaho’s Best community has spoken, and our team has completed the review process. Businesses selected as official 2026 Idaho’s Best nominees earned their place through a strong combination of nominations and Google reviews from the past 12 months.
Being named a nominee is an accomplishment in itself, and we’re excited to have you move forward in this year’s awards program.
If your business is a nominee, be sure to claim your nomination as soon as possible. It only takes a minute and unlocks important tools and benefits.
Why Claim Your Company’s Nomination?
Claiming your nomination gives you immediate access to your business dashboard, where you can:
Download complimentary promotional graphics
Access announcements and program updates
Purchase event tickets and plaques
Review and correct your business information
Claiming your listing also helps ensure your business name, locations, and contact details are accurate throughout the program.
Claiming Your Nomination Helps Us — and You
Engagement plays an important role in keeping Idaho’s Best fair and competitive. When businesses claim their nominations, it helps us better understand participation across categories and refine the program over time.
While ties are rare, they do occur — and in those cases, preference may be given to businesses that have claimed their nomination.
Get Ready for Voting — Opens February 10
The next stage of the program is voting, which opens February 10. Nominees are encouraged to prepare now by downloading the complimentary graphics available in the dashboard and planning how to share the voting link with customers, friends, and followers.
Let’s get the word out and make 2026 Idaho’s Best our most engaging year yet.
Meet the Nominees, Get Ready to Vote, and Save the Date
The 2026 Idaho’s Best Awards season is officially in full swing. Idaho residents once again stepped up to nominate the businesses they love most, resulting in a highly competitive and exciting year.
From restaurants and retail to professional services and local favorites, one thing is clear: Idaho shows up for its local businesses.
Official 2026 Nominees Have Been Announced
After nominations closed in early January, our team spent weeks reviewing submissions to determine this year’s official Idaho’s Best nominees.
Each nominated business was carefully evaluated to ensure:
The category was the best fit
Business information and locations were accurate
Google reviews from the past 12 months reflected consistent customer experience
While many businesses are nominated each year, only a limited number move forward as official nominees. This process helps ensure Idaho’s Best remains one of the most competitive and meaningful awards programs in the state.
Voting Opens February 10–26
This Is When Your Voice Matters
The next stage of the Idaho’s Best Awards is voting, which runs from February 10 through February 26.
During this time, Idaho residents can visit our website and vote to support the businesses they believe truly stand out. Voting is combined with Google reviews from the past year to help determine which nominees earn the highest overall scores.
Keeping the Playing Field Fair
Single-location businesses are straightforward to evaluate, but companies with multiple locations require additional consideration. To keep things fair, Google reviews are averaged across all locations, allowing businesses to compete based on quality and consistency rather than size alone.
Save the Date: Idaho’s Best Awards Ceremony
April 7–8 in Boise
The 2026 Idaho’s Best Awards Ceremony will take place in Boise on April 7 and 8. Hosting the event across two nights allows us to welcome more finalists and guests and celebrate more outstanding businesses.
Once finalists are announced, we’ll share which categories will be recognized on each night so finalists know when to attend. Winners will be revealed live at the ceremony before being shared on our website shortly after.
Thank You for Supporting Idaho’s Best
Idaho’s Best wouldn’t exist without the support of the local community. Thank you to everyone who nominated businesses, shared posts, left reviews, and plans to vote. We can’t wait to celebrate with you throughout the rest of the 2026 season.
The nomination period for the 2026 Idaho’s Best Awards is now closed. We’re grateful for the support we’ve received as Idaho residents nominated their favorite local companies and helped kick off another exciting awards season.
What Happens Behind the Scenes
With nominations complete, our team is now focused on reviewing each submission to determine which businesses will move forward in the 2026 program. Because only a limited number of companies can advance, not every nominated business will become an official nominee.
During this stage, we carefully review each business to ensure:
It aligns with the appropriate category
Business information and locations are accurate
Google reviews from the past 12 months reflect consistent customer experience
This step takes time, but it’s essential to keeping Idaho’s Best competitive, fair, and meaningful.
What’s Next?
Once the review process is complete, we’ll announce the official 2026 Idaho’s Best nominees, and the program will move into the next stage.
Thank you for being part of Idaho’s Best. We’re excited to share what’s next.
The nomination period for the 2026 Idaho’s Best Awards is coming to a close. If there’s a local business you believe deserves recognition this year, now is the time to make sure they’re on our radar. Nominate your favorite candidate here!
🗓 Nominations close January 6
We’re grateful for the continued support from Idaho residents who take the time to nominate their favorite companies. These early submissions help shape a strong, competitive awards season.
What Happens After Nominations Close?
Once nominations close, our team begins the review process to determine which businesses move forward in the 2026 awards program. Because we can only advance a limited number of companies, not every nominated business will become an official nominee.
Any businesses nominated after January 6 will automatically be considered for the 2027 Idaho’s Best Awards.
What’s Ahead in the 2026 Season
After official nominees are announced, the program moves into the voting stage, which will take place February 10–26. During this time, Idaho residents will have the opportunity to support the businesses they believe truly stand out.
The season will wrap up with the Idaho’s Best Awards Ceremony, taking place April 7–8 in Boise. Hosting the event across two nights allows us to welcome more guests and recognize more outstanding businesses from across the state.
Final Reminder
If you’ve been meaning to submit a nomination, this is your reminder to do so before the January 6 deadline. Nominations are the first step in a months-long program designed to recognize the businesses Idaho residents trust and support.
Thank you for being part of Idaho’s Best. We’re excited for the season ahead.
Grief filled the room as the Jergens family sat around the kitchen table, now quiet and heavy with absence. Just hours before, Sarah had been there too, weighing in on dinner (tacos or pizza) with her usual warmth and humor. No one had expected that a routine trip to the store would end in heartbreak. But when Cody’s phone rang, it brought unimaginable news: Sarah had passed away from a sudden heart attack.
In the days that followed, Cody moved through a fog of shock and heartache. Sarah had always been the healthier one, the steady center of their family. Now, with their children looking to him for answers, he found himself juggling his deep grief with a growing list of legal responsibilities. Amid the chaos, he remembered how Sarah had insisted they set up wills and a living trust, just after their first child was born. It had felt like a precaution back then, something they might never need. But now, grateful for Sarah’s foresight, Cody called Pinnacle Estate Planning
Jason Gray knows this story all too well. Before founding Pinnacle, he spent years locating next of kin and navigating asset distribution for families with no estate plans in place. Time and again, he found himself explaining legal procedures to heartbroken spouses and overwhelmed children.
These weren’t just legal cases to him, they were real families in crisis. And Jason knew it didn’t have to be that way. That’s why he started Pinnacle Estate Planning: to help people prepare ahead of time, giving them peace of mind for the future and relief when it mattered most.
Even with his legal experience, Jason wanted his business to have something more. He believed that true service meant showing up for people as humans first. To bring this deeper care into the business, he invited his wife, Dani, to join the firm. She’s the kind of person who remembers birthdays, checks in on clients, and brings a calming presence to every interaction. Together, they’ve shaped Pinnacle into a family-run practice built on empathy and clarity.
Clients like the Jergens family are the reason Pinnacle exists. From the first conversation to the final paperwork, every step is designed to be understandable, personal, and stress-free, especially in moments when families need it most.
Cody remembers how surprisingly simple the process was when he and Sarah first made their estate plan. At the time, it felt almost too easy to be important. But when tragedy struck, that simplicity became everything. When he called Pinnacle, he wasn’t just met with legal advice, he was met with kindness and understanding. Someone asked how he was doing before any of the paperwork started. That stuck with him.
Knowing everything was already in place—no court dates, no legal guesswork—lifted a huge weight off Cody’s shoulders. He could be present for his kids. He could grieve without added confusion. And thanks to Pinnacle, he could begin healing with one less burden to carry. Pinnacle Estate Planning isn’t just about preparing documents. It’s about protecting what matters most: your people, your values, your legacy.
There’s nothing easy about losing someone you love, but with the right plan in place, it doesn’t have to be harder than it already is. Pinnacle makes estate planning approachable and understandable, encouraging families to take action before crisis hits.
They’re not just attorneys. They’re a support system when it matters most, a trusted guide through life’s most difficult moments.
The sun had just started to slip through the curtains when Emily woke to the soft sounds of her baby stirring beside her. She rolled over, meeting the wide brown eyes of her daughter. As the fussing turned into impatient cries, Emily climbed out of bed, went to the kitchen, and started her morning routine, flipping on the light, grabbing a bottle, mixing formula, and setting it in the warmer.
Just as she pressed the button, the lights flickered. Then everything shut off. Only the faint glow of early morning remained as her appliances and lights powered down. Her daughter’s cries became urgent. Emily tried offering the lukewarm bottle, but her baby refused it. With rising panic, she grabbed the list of emergency repair contacts taped inside a drawer and called the first number she saw: Mountain Valley Electric.
Zach Giles picked up the phone, his first call of the day. “Mountain Valley Electric, this is Zach,” he said. He was met with a panicked voice and a crying baby in the background. After hearing the situation, he calmly assured Emily that someone would be there within the hour.
As soon as his first electrician arrived, Zach sent them straight to Emily’s house, stressing the urgency and making sure his team handled the situation with their usual care and compassion. It’s this kind of personal attention and follow-through that has defined Mountain Valley Electric since it opened ten years ago. Built on values like integrity, loyalty, and transparency, the company has built a reputation for standing by its work and showing up when it matters most.
When the electrician arrived, he introduced himself to Emily. After assessing the situation, he discovered that an old outlet had caused the breaker to trip when the bottle warmer was plugged in. He explained the issue and gave Emily a quick overview of what to expect.
He worked quickly and efficiently, and within the hour, Emily’s lights were back on and her daughter was finally able to eat. As her baby’s cries turned to sleepy coos, Emily felt the stress melt away. She thanked the electrician several times, grateful for the calm and swift response.
Wanting to express her appreciation further, Emily called the office again once things had settled. Zach answered again, and she was surprised to learn he was the owner. They talked about the visit, and he brought up a note in the electrician’s report about the outdated wiring. Now that Emily was no longer in crisis, Zach gently explained that this issue was likely not isolated to that one outlet. He recommended a full inspection to prevent it from happening again.
Understanding how chaotic life with a newborn can be, Zach offered to work around Emily’s schedule to find a convenient time. It was clear he wasn’t just checking a box, he genuinely wanted to make sure her home was safe and functioning.
That personal touch is one of the reasons Mountain Valley Electric continues to grow. What started as a local electrical company has expanded into a broader service provider. They recently added a plumbing division and plan to launch HVAC services by the end of the year, offering a comprehensive range of home solutions all under one roof. With a new building under construction to support their growing team and operations, Mountain Valley Electric is preparing to serve their community better than ever.
As Emily hung up the phone and settled onto the couch, she felt a deep sense of relief. She hadn’t realized how much peace of mind comes from knowing someone reliable is just a call away. What could have been a day full of chaos turned into a reminder that there are still businesses that lead with care and commitment.
Mountain Valley Electric didn’t just restore Emily’s power. They brought reassurance, solutions, and a promise to keep showing up whenever needed. For Emily, they’re not just an emergency contact. They’re the team she’ll count on for years to come.
On the corner of Lemp and State Streets in Boise sits a small restaurant that tells a big story—a story of determination, warmth, and devotion to community. Alyonka Russian Cuisine is more than a place to enjoy honey cake or hand-folded dumplings. It’s the life’s work of Elena DeYoung, a charming woman whose journey from Almaty, Kazakhstan, to Idaho is as rich and layered as the royal chocolate ganache she bakes nightly.
Elena was born in Kazakhstan, the third of six children. Her father passed away when she was 7, so Elena stepped into the kitchen early, doing her best to helping feed her siblings while her mother worked full time.
Soon after her father’s death, she spent four years living with her grandparents. This is where her passion for food truly began. Resources were limited, especially in winter, so she and her grandmother preserved seasonal ingredients, making every bit count. Those were her first lessons in cooking and baking, learned by watching and helping in her grandmother’s kitchen.
When she was 11, Elena returned to the family home and discovered an old cookbook filled with handwritten recipes and notes. She still keeps it today. That book became her connection to the past and the spark that lit her lifelong love of cooking.
In 1993, Elena moved to the U.S., landing in Brooklyn. She didn’t speak English but quickly learned through community college. Her nickname, Alyonka—a Russian term of endearment—would later become the name of her restaurant, a tribute to the roots she never left behind.
In 2004, she moved to Boise. The following year, her mother passed away, and in the midst of deep grief, Elena found comfort in the Russian Orthodox Church. The priest and congregation became her chosen family. She began selling dumplings for church and community fundraisers, supporting causes i like rebuilding the St. Seraphim of Sarov Orthodox Church. More and more people tasted her food and said the same thing: “Why just once a year? You need to open a restaurant.”
In November 2019, Elena opened Alyonka Russian Cuisine. Just months later, the pandemic hit. She had to let her employees go and began working 16- to 18-hour days—prepping, cooking, cleaning, baking—just to keep the doors open. She pivoted to to-go orders, and the community rallied behind her.
“People I didn’t even know dropped off envelopes with money. Some support came anonymously. I was overwhelmed by kindness,” she says, still emotional.
Inside the restaurant, every dish feels personal. The honey cake, with delicate layers of honey sponge and cream, is the most popular. The royal chocolate ganache and airy pavlova are baked with equal care. Her intricate dumplings require time, space, and precision. Because of the small kitchen, dumplings can only be prepared on Mondays, when the restaurant is closed. On those days, a group of Russian and Ukrainian women, ages 60 to 78, come in to knead, roll, and shape the restaurant’s famous dumplings by hand.
Elena’s dedication caught national attention when Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives featured Alyonka’s, shining a spotlight on what Boise locals already knew: something special is happening here.
Before opening the restaurant, Elena worked as a schoolteacher. Now, her classroom is the kitchen, and her lessons are served on a plate. Her children helped renovate the building when she signed the lease, even though she briefly doubted herself two days later. But the landlord, sensing something genuine, chose her over other interested parties.
In Elena’s world, the doors are always open. I experienced this firsthand.
“If someone knocks,” she says, “you let them in. You don’t start talking until after you’ve fed them.”
That spirit shines in every corner of Alyonka’s—a place built not just from flour and spice, but from a lifetime of feeding others with love.
