America is home to more than 100,000 head chefs, and last night, a select handful — along with a few restaurateurs, general managers, and wine and spirits professionals — took home a James Beard Award, the industry's top prize. Wondering what makes these names such a big deal? Then get to know the people behind the country's best restaurants and bars.
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.
Maybe you haven't heard the news, but the restaurant portion of the James Beard Awards — the annual "Oscars of the food world" — takes place tonight, and everyone from New York's David Chang to Seattle's Tom Douglas is up for an award.
Plenty of recognizable toques have taken to the podium in the past, including Thomas Keller and Tom Colicchio. Can you guess which years these chefs took home their biggest James Beard win? Let's take the quiz to find out.
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.
Last night at the James Beard Awards, Spaniard José Andrés took home the most coveted title, that of outstanding chef in the nation. The chef and father has five restaurants in Washington DC, one in Los Angeles, and two in Las Vegas. When receiving the award, Andrés said, "food can change the life of people. Use food in the right way." He's not just making waves with his cuisine; he's also using food to promote social change. To learn more about the chef who trained under Spain's famed Ferran Adría, read on.
After months of media buzz, the winners of this year's James Beard Awards are in. The awards — which are being bestowed upon the nation's top chefs thisveryminute by the likes of Tom Colicchio, Ming Tsai, and Traci Des Jardins — are taking place at a star-studded gala in New York's Lincoln Center.
As for the winners: José Andrés was predicted to take home the Outstanding Chef Award, which he did — while Eleven Madison Park in New York City took home the year's award for best restaurant. To see the most updated list of accolades, keep reading.
