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2013 James Beard Foundation Awards

And the Winners Are...

Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America honorees at the 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards



The theme for the James Beard Foundation's 2013 awards ceremony was Lights! Camera! Taste!: Spotlight on Food & Film.

In her opening remarks, Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation, congratulated the nominees and thanked the sponsors. She also mentioned that in keeping with this year's theme, the food at the reception would be inspired by the movies. Actor Oliver Platt hosted the ceremony, which also featured movie montages of food-focused scenes.

Emeril Lagasse received a standing ovation when he took to the stage to accept his award for Humanitarian of the Year. In his speech, he said the "world cannot evolve if it does not give back...Knowledge is power and I want to share that." He thanked the donors and left with his signature "Bam!"

In addition to the categories below, the James Beard Foundation also honored "America's Classics," presented by Coca-Cola. This year's restaurants included Keens Steakhouse in New York, Prince's Hot Chicken Shack in Nashville, Kramarczuk's in Minneapolis, Frank Fat's in Sacramento, and CF Folks in Washington, DC.

The inductees to the Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America were author Eric Asimov, editor Dorothy Kalins, chef/restaurateur Barbara Lynch, chef/restaurateur Zarela Martinez, chef/restaurateur Michael Mina, and author/pastry chef Bill Yosses.

Cecilia Chiang, who arrived in America in 1958 and was the proprietor of The Mandarin in San Francisco for decades, received the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award. She described James Beard as a dear friend. "He dedicated himself to American food but loved Chinese food and told Americans there is more to Chinese food than chop suey," she said.

Summary of the 2013 James Beard Award Winners:

OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT
presented by Acqua Panna

NOMINEES:

WINNER:
Blue Hill, New York City

"It was such an opportunity to stumble across this restaurant — and stay out of bankruptcy." - Dan Barber

Highlands Bar & Grill, Birmingham, Alabama
Restaurant August, New Orleans
Slanted Door, San Francisco
Spiaggia, Chicago

GAYOT.com Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.

OUTSTANDING CHEF
presented by All-Clad Metalcrafters, LLC

NOMINEES:

WINNERS:
David Chang, Momofuku Ssam Bar, New York City
"It's a surreal occasion. At least I am not here by myself accepting." -
David Chang

Paul Kahan, Blackbird, Chicago
"You can't beat Chang but a tie is ok." - Paul Kahan

Sean Brock, McCrady's, Charleston
Gary Danko, Gary Danko, San Francisco
Suzanne Goin, Lucques, Los Angeles
Nancy Silverton, Pizzeria Mozza, Los Angeles


OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR

NOMINEES:

WINNER:
Maguy Le Coze, Le Bernardin, New York

"Over 40 years in the business...This is an amazing honor...I had a lot to learn along the way." - Maguy Le Coze

Donnie Madia, One Off Hospitality Group
Piero Selvaggio, Valentino Restaurant Group (Santa Monica, CA)
Caroline Styne, Lucques/A.O.C./Tavern, Los Angeles
Phil Suarez, Suarez Restaurant Group


BEST NEW RESTAURANT

NOMINEES:

WINNER:
State Bird Provisions, San Francisco

"I thank my staff...As they are going into service — this is going to be a good evening." - Stuart Brioza

Empellon Cocina, New York City
Grace, Chicago
The Ordinary, Charleston
Rich Table, San Francisco


RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR

NOMINEES:

WINNER:
Daniel Bowien, Mission Chinese Food, San Francisco

Describing the experience as "insane," Bowien dedicated his award to his mother, father and wife.

Jimmy Bannos, Jr., The Purple Pig, Chicago
Thomas McNaughton, Flour + Water, San Francisco
David Posey,
Blackbird, Chicago
Blaine Wetzel, The Willows Inn, Lummi Island, WA

OUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF

NOMINEES:

WINNER:
Brooks Headley, Del Posto, New York City

"
I did not prepare a speech because I thought it would jinx it." - Brooks Headley

Dominique Ansel, Dominique Ansel Bakery, New York City
Melissa Chou, Aziza, San Francisco
Ken Forkish, Ken's Artisan Bakery, Portland
Hedy Goldsmith, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Miami


OUTSTANDING CHEF, REGIONAL
presented by Chase Sapphire Visa


GREAT LAKES:

WINNER:
Stephanie Izard, Girl & The Goat, Chicago

"Chicago is a bad-ass city to be a chef in." - Stephanie Izard

Dave Beran, Next Restaurant, Chicago
Jonathon Sawyer, The Greenhouse Tavern, Cleveland

Paul Virant, Vie, Western Springs, IL
Andrew Zimmerman, Sepia, Chicago


MID-ATLANTIC:

WINNER:
Johnny Monis, Komi, Washington, D.C.

Monis thanked his family for showing him "how vegetables grow and where eggs come from."

Cathal Armstrong, Restaurant Eve, Alexandria, Va.
Spike Gjerde, Woodberry Kitchen, Baltimore
Brad Spence, Amis, Philadelphia
Vikram Sunderam, Rasika, Washington, D.C.


MID-WEST:

WINNER:
Colby Garrelts, Bluestem, Kansas City, Mo.

Garrelts called his wife "the reason for who I am."

Justin Aprahamian, Sanford, Milwaukee
Gerard Craft, Niche, St. Louis
Michelle Gayer, Salty Tart, Minneapolis
Jack Riebel, Butcher & the Boar, Minneapolis


NEW YORK CITY:

WINNER:
Wylie Dufresne, wd-50

In his acceptance speech, Dufresne said: "Thank you to my staff. This medal belongs to you."

April Bloomfield, The Spotted Pig
Mark Ladner, Del Posto

Jonathan Waxman, Barbuto
Michael White, Marea


NORTHEAST:

WINNER:
Melissa Kelly, Primo, Rockland, ME

Kelly attributed her success to her
farmers, foragers and cheese makers.

Jamie Bissonnette, Coppa, Boston
Joanne Chang, flour bakery + café, Boston
Gerry Hayden, The North Fork Table & Inn, Southold, NY
Barry Maiden, Hungry Mother, Cambridge, MA


NORTHWEST:

WINNER:
Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon, Portland, OR

Rucker's colorful remarks included thanking his wife for "not giving me too much s*&% when I come home — This is for you, baby!"

Jason Franey, Canlis, Seattle
Naomi Pomeroy, Beast, Portland, OR
Ethan Stowell, Staple & Fancy Mercantile, Seattle
Cathy Whims, Nostrana, Portland, OR

SOUTH:

WINNER:
Tory McPhail, Commander’s Palace, New Orleans

"To be the best you need to have an ability to connect with people." - Tory McPhail

Justin Devillier, La Petite Grocery, New Orleans
Jeff McInnis, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar, Miami Beach

Alon Shaya, Domenica, New Orleans
Sue Zemanick, Gautreau's, New Orleans


SOUTHEAST:

WINNER:
Joseph Lenn, The Barn at Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN

"
I appreciate that." - Joseph Lenn

Ashley Christensen, Poole's Diner, Raleigh
Edward Lee, 610 Magnolia, Louisville, KY
Steven Satterfield, Miller Union, Atlanta
Tandy Wilson, City House, Nashville



SOUTHWEST:

WINNER:
Jennifer Jasinski, Rioja, Denver

"It's an everyday struggle to remain relevant."
- Jennifer Jasinski

Kevin Binkley, Binkley’s Restaurant, Cave Creek, AZ
Bruce Gilmore, Barley Swine, Austin
Hugo Ortega, Hugo’s, Houston
Chris Shepherd, Underbelly, Houston


WEST:

WINNER:
Christopher Kostow, The Restaurant at Meadowood,
St. Helena, CA

"You must take a leap of faith when you get into this business." - Christopher Kostow

Chris Cosentino, Incanto, San Francisco
Corey Lee, Benu, San Francisco
Daniel Patterson, Coi, San Francisco
John Shook and Vinny Dotolo, Animal, Los Angeles



OUTSTANDING SERVICE
presented by Stella Artois

NOMINEES:

WINNER:
Del Posto, New York City

"It goes to the 200 staff that it takes to move the 24,000-square-foot restaurant." - Jeff Katz

Quince, San Francisco
The Restaurant at Meadowood, St. Helena, CA
Topolobampo, Chicago
Vetri, Philadelphia


OUTSTANDING WINE PROGRAM
presented by Lavazza 


NOMINEES:

WINNER:
Frasca Food & Wine, Boulder, Colo.


Bobby Stuckey expressed his gratitude to Thomas Keller. He had worked with the famed chef before leaving to open Frasca.

A16, San Francisco
The Barn at Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tenn.
CityZen, Washington, D.C.
Picasso, Las Vegas


OUTSTANDING BAR PROGRAM


NOMINEES:

WINNER:
The Aviary
, Chicago

"Amazing...Best job in the world...We make cocktails for people." - Charles Joly

Bar Agricole, San Francisco
The Bar at The NoMad Hotel, New York
Holeman & Finch Public House, Atlanta
Pegu Club,
New York
The Violet Hour, Chicago


OUTSTANDING WINE AND SPIRITS PROFESSIONAL

NOMINEES:

WINNER:
Merry Edwards, Merry Edwards Wines, Sebastopol, Calif.

Edwards said the foundation had given her a great gift as her birthday is tomorrow.

Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE
Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn Brewery, New York City
Neal Rosenthal, Mad Rose Group, Pine Plains, NY
David Wondrich, Spirits Educator, New York City



OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT DESIGN
presented by Celebrity Cruises

NOMINEES FOR 75 SEATS AND UNDER:

WINNER:
Taavo Somer, Isa, Brooklyn, NY (Editor's Note: This restaurant is closed)

Commune, Farmshop, Santa Monica, CA
Capella Garcia Arquitectura, minibar by José Andrés, Washington, DC

NOMINEES FOR 76 SEATS AND OVER:

WINNER:
Alejandro Barrios Carrero Designs, Juvia, Miami Beach, FL

"I love New York...Venezuelans never win anything." - Alejandro Barrios Carrero

Rockwell Group, Jaleo, Las Vegas
MC2 Architects, Triniti Restaurant + Bar, Houston


For more information, visit www.jamesbeard.org



Read the GAYOT blog to get a behind-the-scenes look at the 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards

See GAYOT's exclusive interview with Vice President Mitchell Davis of the James Beard Foundation.



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