Hillsborough Business Association Celebrates Nine Local Award Winners

HILLSBOROUGH, N.J. — From a family-owned Neapolitan pizzeria and a craft distillery to a specialty coffee roaster, a historic farm, and a nationally recognized conservation center, Hillsborough's diverse business community was celebrated October 29 at the Hillsborough Business Association's (HBA) 2026 Annual Awards Dinner.

Nine local businesses and organizations received recognition at the event, held at Royce Brook Golf Course in Hillsborough. This year's winners were selected through community voting, with residents and patrons casting more than 500 votes across nine award categories.

The selection process began with nominations, followed by a public voting period. The Township announced September 9 that voting would remain open through September 20, with a limit of one vote per email address. The winners were announced at the October 29 dinner.

HBA Chairman Abed Medawar presented the awards, while Deputy Mayor Shawn Lipani and Committeewoman Jill Gomez announced the recipients. Other Township officials also attended.

Town Committeewoman Jill Gomez spoke about her appreciation for this award program, that it recognizes strong community participation and the importance of local businesses in providing services, creating jobs and contributing to the character of the community. “The HBA Awards shine a spotlight on some of our neighborhood gems, and remind us of the rich, intertwined history our businesses share. Hillsborough is the perfect place for businesses to plant roots and thrive.”

Meet the 2026 Award Winners

This year's recipients represent a broad cross-section of Hillsborough's business community, with several familiar names and some newer establishments earning recognition.

Hillsborough Global Flavor Award – AMA Pizza e Cucina. 236 South Branch Road

AMA Pizza e Cucina is a family-owned Italian restaurant specializing in authentic Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pizza, homemade pasta and gelato. Chef-owner Achille Confuorto brings family recipes and culinary traditions from Naples, Italy, to Hillsborough. Established in 2017, AMA is no stranger to HBA recognition. It previously won the 2024 Dine-In Experience Award, making this its second documented HBA award.

Experience Hillsborough Award – Bellemara Distillery. Clerico Lane, Building 5

One of Hillsborough's newer businesses, Bellemara Distillery was established in 2021 and opened to the public in late December of that year. It is New Jersey's first single-malt distillery, producing its spirits on-site through a grain-to-glass process. Visitors can enjoy craft spirits, tastings and cocktails in its tasting room and upstairs lounge, which overlooks the distillery. Its combination of local production and visitor experiences makes it a distinctive destination for Hillsborough.

Proudly Manufactured in Hillsborough Award – Benfatto Coffee. 4 Jill Court, Building 22, Suite 8

Benfatto Coffee is a specialty coffee roasting company that supplies freshly roasted, premium coffee to restaurants, specialty coffee businesses and consumers. What began as a home-garage startup has grown into a business serving customers throughout the country and internationally. Founded in 2009, the company takes pride in its roasting quality and commitment to its customers, making this award particularly fitting for a business that produces its products right here in Hillsborough.

Hillsborough Community Impact Award – Duke Farms. 1112 Dukes Parkway West

Duke Farms is much more than a local attraction. The 2,700-acre property is a nationally recognized center for environmental conservation, sustainability, education and research. Its programs encourage visitors to become better stewards of the environment while showcasing wildlife, restored habitats and sustainable practices. With a history dating back to 1893, Duke Farms has become an important environmental and educational resource for Hillsborough and the surrounding region. Duke Farms helps differentiate Hillsborough, including it being a destination across New Jersey.

Hillsborough Culinary Experience Award – Eminato. 220 Triangle Road, Suite 225

Eminato is a specialty coffee shop and café offering craft coffee, espresso drinks, tea, pastries and other café favorites. Formerly known as Cafe Brio, the business recently introduced its new Eminato name and branding while retaining the same ownership, team and commitment to its customers. Its focus on specialty beverages and creating a welcoming café experience earned it this year's culinary recognition. Support of our community is another way Eminato stands out.

Hillsborough Exceptional Service Award – Mailbox Business Center. 601 Route 206, Suite 26

A longtime Hillsborough business, Mailbox Business Center provides shipping, packing, printing, copying, graphic design, specialty printing and mailbox services. An authorized shipping outlet for UPS, FedEx, DHL and USPS, the center has served residents and businesses for decades. Owner Matt Schorr has been part of the business since 1995 and has owned it since 2003. Its longstanding commitment to customer service was recognized with this year's award.

Hillsborough Harvest of the Year Award – Norz Hill Farm. 120 South Branch Road

Norz Hill Farm is a family-owned agricultural operation offering fresh produce, farm products and seasonal activities. The Norz family has been farming in Hillsborough since 1920, making it one of the community's longstanding agricultural families. Its farm market, seasonal attractions such as a fun maze and pumpkin picking make it a popular destination for families throughout Somerset County. Like AMA Pizza, Norz Hill Farm is a repeat HBA award recipient, having previously won the 2024 Agricultural Excellence Award.

Hillsborough Tourism Event of 2026 Award – Rotary Fair

The annual Hillsborough Rotary Fair was recognized for its contribution to local tourism and community life. Held at the Hillsborough Promenade, the multi-day summer event features carnival rides, games, food vendors, local businesses, entertainment and fireworks. The fair attracts thousands of visitors from Hillsborough and neighboring communities each year. Beyond providing family entertainment, proceeds help fund Rotary's community programs, scholarships and charitable initiatives. This annual summer fair, along with the Independence Day fireworks, are the most popular events in Hillsborough each year.

Hillsborough Home Improvement Innovator Award – Twin Oaks Landscape Design. 1071 Millstone River Road

Twin Oaks Landscape Design is a locally-established landscaping and outdoor design company founded in 2005 by Robert Jorgensen. The company provides landscape design, installation, maintenance and hardscape construction, helping homeowners transform their outdoor spaces. It also offers commercial snow-plowing services. Its recognition highlights the skilled trades and home improvement businesses that contribute to Hillsborough's residential community.

A Tradition of Recognizing Local Businesses

The HBA awards have become an annual opportunity for residents to recognize the businesses and organizations that make Hillsborough a vibrant place to live, work and visit. The 2026 dinner marked the fourth annual edition of the awards, following the inaugural events in 2023.

The 2024 awards provide an interesting look at the businesses that have continued to earn community support. AMA Pizza e Cucina and Norz Hill Farm both returned as winners in 2026, demonstrating their continued connection with the community. Other recipients represent a mix of established businesses, newer destinations and organizations with a long history in Hillsborough.

The Hillsborough Business Association is administered by the Township's Economic and Business Development Office. Beyond the annual awards, the HBA supports local businesses through networking events, job fairs, Restaurant Week, Farm Week and other promotional opportunities designed to strengthen the local economy.

The evening also provided an opportunity to recognize the role of community leadership in supporting Hillsborough. Medawar, in addition to serving as HBA chairman, is president of the Rotary Club of Hillsborough. He spearheaded the creation of the Rotary's inaugural Anthony Franchini Community Builder Award, presented to Matt Schorr, owner of Mailbox Business Center, for his longstanding support of local schools, nonprofits, community organizations and charitable causes. The Community Builder Award is a separate Rotary Club recognition and is not part of the HBA awards program.

Together, these awards celebrate what makes Hillsborough special: a diverse business community, dedicated local owners, organizations that give back and residents who continue to support the people and businesses that help their hometown thrive. Join us next year and vote for the 2027 HBA award winners!