The first round of nominees for the 2008 James Beard Awards have just been announced. Well not really, the judges were sent the "long list" earlier today, and the folks at Grub Street managed to get their grubby little hands on a copy.
The list is the best of the best in the US, and features quite a broad range. The categories are Restaurateur, Best Regional Chef (separate categories for each region), Pastry Chef, Rising Star Chef, Chef, Restaurant, Service, Wine Service, Wine & Spirits Professional, and Best New Restaurant.
It's interesting to me that New York City gets its own category, but since it's such a hot bed of culinary delights, I guess it's only fair to the rest of the Northeast. The lists definitely run the gamut of flavors and styles. There are some obvious names — like Mario Batali, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and Wolfgang Puck — but there are some newcomers as well. Here at Sugar HQ, we're excited by the inclusion of several of our new fave eateries (SPQR and Spruce in San Francisco).
If you're curious, check out the entire long list of nominees. It's interesting to note that the cookbooks, newspaper articles, webcasts/radio, and restaurant design are not on this list. Those will surely be announced in the weeks to come, and when they do, we'll definitely let you know!
So, were any of your favorite chefs or restaurants on the long list? Do you feel that your region is well represented?
Soft Grey
Vanessa Bruno
Tod's
thanks! that is cool to know!
1Wow, this is cool. Thanks for posting this.
2Woo hoo! I'm very happy this morning to see that my former boss is nominated for Best Chef: South. If any of y'all should wind up around Oxford, Mississippi (though the typo on the list designates it as MI...boo), I HIGHLY suggest you stop in to test out one of John Currence's creations at City Grocery. The seasonal menu is always full of astounding items, but the ever-present house favorite shrimp and grits will blow your mind, I promise. After dinner head upstairs to the bar (also recognized as one of the best of its kind in the nation) for a drink on the balcony as you look out over the Oxford Square. Ask for Chip at the bar and tell him Tall Katie sent you, heh.
Also...Dan Latham is absolutely deserving of his position on the list for L&M's Salumeria,just on the other side of the Square. Divine dining experience, for sure. I highly suggest the various bruschetta appetizers!
3cool stuff
4Yay! My dear friend Jeff Michaud is nominated both for Best Chef Mid Atlantic and RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR! His restaurant here in Philly - Osteria - is also on the list for best new restaurant. If you are ever in Philly - Osteria is amazing! And I'm not just saying that because he is a friend!
5I ate at CityZen on Saturday where Eric Ziebold is the chef...he is amazing and I hope he wins the Mid-Atlantic category!! (Although I may be biased since my boyfriend is a cook there
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