Last week, I mentioned that Lucky Garden 1 was named one of the Top 100 Chinese Takeouts in the nation by Chinese Restaurant News. All of the more than 45,000 Chinese restaurants in the United States are invited to enter the contest.

Other Chinese restaurants in Brevard also earned kudos. New China Buffet (1628 Fiske Blvd., Rockledge) was named one of the top 100 buffets. Asian House (407 Cheney Highway,
Titusville) ranked among the 100 restaurants with the healthiest menus. Both First Wok (3235A Garden St., Titusville) and Lin's Garden, 3450 Bayside Lakes Blvd., Palm Bay) earned spots in the top 100 for their signature dishes.

Jimmy Zhao of Lucky Garden 2 (6300 N. Wickham Road, Suite 127, Suntree), received one of the Top 100 Community Award of Excellence for his support of the victims of the Sichuan 2008 earthquake. These awards are giving to Chinese restaurateurs who use their culinary expertise in a philanthropic manner.

Zhao, who personally experienced the earthquake May 12 of last year, joined the locals in rescue efforts before returning to Brevard. After he got home, he organized several fundraisers for the victims and donated $7,000 to a Sichuan school to rebuild it. These are hard-fought awards, with restaurants from every state competing. Brevard winners
deserve to be congratulated.