To his surprise, not only was Richmond Foods named Big Business of the Year at the awards dinner, but Mr Sykes was named Business Personality of the Year.
"I was sitting there soaking up the wine, I thought 'Oh my god what am I going to say'," laughed Mr Sykes.
He said winning the award meant a lot to Richmond Foods.
"It opened up a hell of a lot of doors in my sales going around the country," he said.
"People had read about it, it had quite a positive effect."
His staff were delighted and would be congratulated as they walked around town, he said.
Mr Digby then joined the selection panel for the next couple of years, interviewing entrants and helping pick winners.
About five years ago he sold Richmond Foods, which has continued to thrive and is now a multi-million dollar business, he said.
Now retired and living in Auckland, Mr Digby said he had popped in to the Fairy Springs Rd factory a couple of times since selling.
"There are still about five or six of the original staff there," he said. "I walk into the factory and get hugs and kisses."
In 2008, the supreme award winner was Zero to 100 Automotive, owned by husband and wife team Peter and Tania Davis.
"It was brilliant to get our name out there and have some sort of recognition for all our hard work," Mrs Davis said. She went on to be a judge for the next two years.
"[You] learn about other people's business, it's quite motivating listening to their stories."
Tomorrow night's dinner will be the first the Davis' have missed since 2006, when they won best emerging business.
Pam Turner said it was a total surprise when her business House of Travel was named overall winner in 2001.
"[I thought] 'Did they really say our name?"'
She said winning was a huge honour and great recognition for her hardworking staff. It attracted new customers and gave the business a boost but it also "upped the ante". "You had to be on your toes and make sure you delivered on everything."
For last-minute tickets to tomorrow's gala dinner call Kat on (07) 348 4045.
Saturday's Rotorua Daily Post will include coverage from the event and a full list of winners.
The Red Stag Business Person of the Year will also be announced, with the winner to be inducted into the Rotorua Business Hall of Fame.
The 2013 finalists
Rotorua Daily Post Hospitality & Attractions Business Award: Indian Star Restaurant; Novotel Rotorua Lakeside; Rotorua Museum.
Holland Beckett Manufacturing & Trade Business Award: BioBrew; PlentyFlora.
Unison Service Provider Business Award: APR Architects; The Gardens Resthome & Hospital; Pam Jones Property Management.
Rotorua District Council Emerging Business Award: BREW Craft Beer Pub; Dubzz Digital Marketing; Look After Me - NZ's Hospitality Network; Rotorua Canopy Tours.
Pukeroa Oruawhata Holdings Retail Business Award: Drapes by Design; LK Rotorua; Okere Falls Store.
Classic Hits Community Business Award: Kaitao Middle School; Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust.
NZCU Rotorua Employee of the Year: Annie Clare (Agrodome); Kim Watson-Tanga (Tamaki Maori Village); Sam Roil (Pure Cruise); Vicki Codlin (Whare Aroha).
Waiariki Institute of Technology Apprentice of the Year Award: Carla Bindon (Aislin Hair Studio); Hannah Holtham (Novotel Rotorua Lakeside); Jason Turton (Checkmate Precision Cutting Tools).
TrustPower Customer Service Award: Drapes by Design; Indian Star Restaurant; Little Angels Dog Grooming; LK Rotorua.
Rotorua Trust Community Support Award: Rotorua Canopy Tours; PlentyFlora; Red Stag Timber.
Waikato University Emerging Young Business Person of the Year: Anna Grayling (BoP Regional Council); Fraser Newman (McLeods Books); Paul Spurdle (Rotorua District Council); Ryan Holmes (Holmes Group).
