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The James Beard Foundation, the grand arbiters of taste, announced the final nominees for the 2008 awards this morning. There are 52 categories, and if you're really interested in all of them, check the official awards site. Otherwise Angelenos and their restaurants make most of the big categories: Best Restaurateur (Wolfgang Puck), Outstanding Chef (Suzanne Goin), Outstanding Restaurant (Campanile), Best New Restaurant (Osteria Mozza), Rising Star Chef (Matt Molina, the Mozzas), and the list goes on and on. Lots of heavy hitters from NY, SF and Chicago in the same categories, but the Mozzas can take 'em. Other notables: David Myers is the only local chef in the California category; Dave Gardetta's profile of Spago in Los Angeles magazine and Brad A. Johnson's restaurant criticism in Angeleno get nods; Top Chef is nominated in two TV categories; and Saipin Chutima from Lotus of Siam in Vegas gets nod for Best Chef in the Southwest.
The awards, one of the biggest foodie events of the year, will take place on June 8 at Lincoln Center in New York.
2008 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards
OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR AWARD
A working restaurateur, actively involved in multiple restaurants in the United States, who has set uniformly high national standards as a creative force in the kitchen and/or in restaurant operations. Candidates must have been in the restaurant business for at least ten years.Joe Bastianich/Mario Batali
Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca
NYCTom Douglas
Tom Douglas Restaurants
SeattleRichard Melman
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
ChicagoWolfgang Puck
The Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group
Beverly Hills, CAJean-Georges Vongerichten
Jean-Georges Management LLC
NYCOUTSTANDING CHEF AWARD
A working chef in America whose career has set national industry standards and who has served as an inspiration to other food professionals. Candidates must have been working as a chef for at least the past five years.Grant Achatz
Alinea, ChicagoJosé Andrés
Minibar, Washington, DCDan Barber
Blue Hill, NYCSuzanne Goin
Lucques, Los AngelesFrank Stitt
Highlands Bar & Grill
Birmingham, ALOUTSTANDING RESTAURANT AWARD
A restaurant in the United states that serves as a national standard-bearer for consistent quality and excellence in food, atmosphere, and service. Candidates must have been in operation for at least ten consecutive years.Boulevard, San Francisco
Chef/Owner: Nancy Oakes, Owner: Pat KuletoCampanile, Los Angeles
Chef/Owner: Mark PeelGramercy Tavern, NYC
Owner: Danny MeyerJean Georges, NYC
Chef/Owner: Jean-Georges VongerichtenThe Slanted Door, San Francisco
Chef/Owner: Charles PhanBEST NEW RESTAURANT
A restaurant opened in 2007 that already displays excellence in food, beverage, and service and is likely to have a significant impact on the industry in years to come.Anthos, NYC
Chef/Owner: Michael Psilakis, Owner: Donatella ArpaiaCentral Michel Richard, Washington, DC
Chef/Owner: Michel RichardFearing's at the Ritz Carlton, Dallas
Chef/Owner: Dean Fearing
The Ritz-Carlton, DallasOsteria Mozza, Los Angeles
Chef: Matt Molina
Owners: Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali, Joseph BastianichOsteria, Philadelphia
Chef/Owners: Marc Vetri, Jeff Michaud, Owner: Jeff BenjaminRISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR AWARD
A chef age 30 or younger who displays an impressive talent and who is likely to have a significant impact on the industry in years to come.Nate Appleman
A 16, San FranciscoSean Brock
McCrady's, Charleston, SCGavin Kaysen
Café Boulud, NYCJohnny Monis
Komi, Washington, DCMatt Molina
Osteria Mozza, Los AngelesGabriel Rucker
Le Pigeon, Portland, OROUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF AWARD
A chef or baker who prepares desserts, pastries, or breads and who serves as a national standard-bearer for excellence. Candidates must have been pastry chefs or bakers for at least the past five years.Gina DePalma
Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca
NYCPichet Ong
P*ONG, NYCNicole Plue
Redd, Yountville, CAElisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson
Tartine Bakery
San FranciscoMindy Segal
HotChocolate
ChicagoOUTSTANDING WINE SERVICE AWARD
A restaurant that displays and encourages excellence in wine service through a well-presented wine list, a knowledgeable staff, and efforts to educate customers about wine. Candidates must have been in operation for at least five years.Aureole, Las Vegas
Wine Director: Steven GeddesBin 36, Chicago
Wine Director: Brian DuncanEleven Madison Park, NYC
Wine Director: John RaganBlackberry Farm, Walland, TN
Wine Director: Andy ChabotPicasso, Las Vegas
Wine Director: Robert SmithOUTSTANDING WINE AND SPIRITS PROFESSIONAL AWARD
A winemaker, brewer, or spirits professional who has had a significant impact on the wine and spirits industry nationwide. Candidates must have been in the profession for at least five years.Dale DeGroff
Dale DeGroff Co., Inc., NYCMerry Edwards
Merry Edwards Wines
Sebastopol, CADavid Lett
The Eyrie Vineyards
McMinnville, ORBobby Stuckey
Frasca Food and Wine
Boulder, COTerry Theise
Terry Theise Estate Selections
Silver Spring, MDOUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD
A restaurant that demonstrates high standards of hospitality and service. Candidates must have been in operation for at least the past five years.Canlis
Seattle
Owners:The Canlis FamilyGary Danko
San Francisco
Owner: Gary DankoSpiaggia
Chicago
Owner: Tony MantuanoTerra
St. Helena, CA
Owners: Hiro Sone and Lissa DoumaniVetri
Philadelphia
Owner: Mark VetriBEST CHEFS IN AMERICA
Chefs who have set new or consistent standards of excellence in their respective regions. Each candidate may be employed by any kind of dining establishment and must have been a working chef for at least the past five years. The three most recent years must have been spent in the region where chef is presently working.BEST CHEF: PACIFIC (CA, HI)
Douglas Keane
Cyrus
Healdsburg, CADavid Kinch
Manresa
Los Gatos, CADavid Myers
Sona
Los AngelesCraig Stoll
Delfina
San FrancisoMichael Tusk
Quince
San FranciscoBEST CHEF: SOUTHWEST (AZ, CO, NM, NV, OK, TX, UT)
Saipin Chutima
Lotus of Siam
Las VegasSharon Hage
York Street
DallasRyan Hardy
Montagna
Aspen, COLachlan Mackinnon-Patterson
Frasca Food and Wine
Boulder, COAndrew Weissman
Restaurant Le Rêve
San Antonio, TX
· 2008 James Beard Foundation Awards [Official Site]
· Priority Alert: James Beard Long List Announced [~ELA~]