The highly anticipated James Beard Awards took place yesterday, and while we couldn't be there in the flesh, it sure felt like we were: Twitter was aflutter with snapshots, congratulations, and jokes from attendees. Wish you were a part of the action? Get an inside look at what really went on last night inside the winner's circle when you flip through these pictures.
Source: Twitpic User Andrew Zimmern, Twitter User kludt, and Twitter User dwilson79
The time has finally arrived: the James Beard Awards, or the Oscars of the food world, have just been announced. After months of suspense following the announcement of this year's semifinalists and subsequent finalists, the results were announced at a star-studded gala in New York's Lincoln Center, where a smattering of top talent from Grant Achatz to Top Chef winner Paul Qui walked home with medals.
For the first time ever, there was an Outstanding Bar Program award, and it went to Jim Meehan, owner and bar manager at PDT in New York City. Other highlights? Eleven Madison Park's Daniel Humm nabbed top prize for Outstanding Chef; Wolfgang Puck spoke at length as he accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar fame took home title of Rising Star Chef; the pastry wunderkind declared that if she could cook anything for James Beard, it would be turkey pot pie. Read ahead to see the full list of 2012 James Beard Award winners.
America is home to more than 100,000 head chefs — and today, a select few of them will be given nods as finalists for the James Beard Awards, the industry's top honors.
Among those who made the cut from the list of last month's semifinalists: David Chang, Tom Douglas, and Ina Garten.
Winners will be announced on May 7 in an award ceremony at New York's Lincoln Center, to be hosted by none other than Food Network's Alton Brown. The event, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, only promises to be more lavish than years past.
To see the list of finalists, keep reading.
