With the start of the new year just hours away, Ocala-News.com is taking a look back at eight individuals who made the city proud in 2023.
Ocala pastry chef competes in Food Network holiday series
An Ocala pastry chef and bakery owner, Bev Hansen, recently competed in season 5 of Holiday Wars, a Food Network series that tasks five teams of master cake and sugar artists with creating festive and delicious holiday displays.
Hansen competed on the “Caroling Queens,” and her team ultimately fell short of the $25,000 grand prize after being eliminated during the first episode of the series.
In addition to being the owner and operator of Bev’s Custom Bakery, Hansen was a finalist in another Food Network holiday-themed baking series, Halloween Wars.
Victory at Ocala golf tournament earns 6-year-old a shot at world championship
Robert Lewis Towell, his sister, and his parents traveled down to the Ocala Golf Club (3130 E Silver Springs Blvd) earlier this year to compete in a local championship. The event featured dozens of competitors across all age groups, and Towell emerged victorious in his age bracket (Boys 6 & Under).
After the victory in Ocala, Towell went on to compete at the Midland Country Club in Texas on August 3 through August 5 for a chance to win a world championship. He ultimately finished tied for 22nd place with a score of +9, which was 14 strokes behind the winner of the event.
Ocala country singer releases single with Jelly Roll
Earlier this summer, a local country singer dropped a new single featuring genre-bending singer-songwriter Jelly Roll.
Kendall Tucker, an independent country-rap artists from Ocala, released his new single “Dragging Me Down” across all major platforms on August 25. The song features a collaboration with Jelly Roll, a singer who won three CMT Music Awards earlier this year for his Billboard Country Airplay chart-topping song “Son of a Sinner.”
A metal band from Michigan, STATE of MINE, also worked with Tucker and Jelly Roll on the new single.
To learn more about Kendall Tucker and his music, visit his website, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
Ocala pastry chef makes finals of Food Network baking championship
Yohann Le Bescond, an executive pastry chef at the World Equestrian Center, was one of the three finalists in the inaugural Summer Baking Championship, which aired on Food Network over the summer.
On the final episode of the show, Le Bescond was edged out by fellow contestant Zoe Peckich. Throughout the series, Le Bescond received praise from judges and fellow contestants for his exquisite creations and flavors.
Rising country artist from Ocala releases new single
“Shotgun Ridin’ (Remastered)” is the newest release by singer, songwriter, and musician Noah Hunton of Ocala.
After dreaming of becoming a country star since he was young, Hunton incorporated himself as Noah Hunton Music LLC, developed a brand around his music, and formed a team to help support his career. Over the past several years, he has performed at dozens of local restaurants, bars, and other venues.
To learn more about Noah Hunton and his music, visit his website, or follow him on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
Ocala student receives full scholarship to Ivy League school
Esperance Han, a senior at North Marion High School who ranks second in her class with a 4.88 weighted grade point average, is heading to Yale University.
In a video shared with Ocala-News.com, Han shared the moment she found out that she matched with the university.
Han received a full scholarship through QuestBridge, which is a program that helps high-achieving students in low-income households by providing direct access to dozens of top-level universities, including a few in the Ivy League.
“I was always doubting myself and never felt good enough or as accomplished as other students in QuestBridge. Never let anything stop you, just do what you love, and do it well. Anything is possible,” said Han.
Ocala speed skater wins gold at Pan American Games
An Olympic gold medalist from Ocala added another gold medal to her collection at this year’s Pan American Games.
In November, Erin Jackson claimed victory in the women’s 500-meter inline speed skating event at the XIX Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.
On the day of the event, Jackson skated in a qualifying event at 7 a.m. local time (5 a.m. EST), finishing with a time of 46.643 seconds. She then participated in a semifinal race just over an hour later at 8:10 a.m. local time (6:10 a.m. EST), qualifying for the final with a time of 45.838 seconds.
During her final race, which took place at 9:15 a.m. local time (7:15 a.m. EST), Jackson saved her best performance for last, posting a winning time of 45.518.
For more information on the results from this year’s games, visit the 2023 Pan American Games online.
Owner of Big Lee’s BBQ beats Bobby Flay in Food Network wing cook-off
A local restaurateur defeated a popular Food Network personality on the same day that his first brick and mortar restaurant opened in Ocala.
Rashad Jones, owner of Big Lee’s Barbecue, was declared the champion of Beat Bobby Flay during an airing of the food competition show on Food Network in July.
After emerging victorious, Jones stated, “This is a dream come true. I got a chance to go up against the OG, and I took him down.”
Jones is no stranger to the spotlight, having been featured in multiple Food Network competitions in the past, including Guy’s Grocery Games in 2017 and BBQ Brawl in 2022.
During the first week of July, Jones opened his first Big Lee’s Barbecue brick and mortar location at 2611 SW 19th Avenue Road in Ocala.
Do you know someone who recently made Ocala proud? Share your story with us.