Covering all aspects of the industry—from chefs and restaurateurs to cookbook authors and food journalists to restaurant designers and architects and more—the James Beard Foundation Awards are the highest honors for food and beverage professionals working in America. The awards are presented each spring at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. Nominees and winners are fêted at a weekend of gala events in New York City that has become the social and gastronomic highlight of the year. Below are the 2010 James Beard nominees for the Restaurant and Chef Awards — winners will be announced on May 3, 2010
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
A restaurant opened in 2009 that already displays excellence in food, beverage, and service and is likely to have a significant impact on the industry in years to come.
Bibou
Philadelphia
Chefs/Owners: Pierre and Charlotte Calmels
Flour + Water
San Francisco
Chef/Partner: Thomas McNaughton
Partners: David White and David Steele
Frances
San Francisco
Chef/Owner: Melissa Perello
Locanda Verde
NYC
Chef/Owner: Andrew Carmellini
Marea
NYC
Chef/Partner: Michael White
Partner: Chris Cannon
RN74
San Francisco
Chef: Jason Berthold
Owners: Michael Mina and Rajat Parr
OUTSTANDING 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 chefs for at least the past 5 years.
José Andrés
Minibar
Washington, D.C.
Tom Colicchio
Craft
NYC
Gary Danko
Restaurant Gary Danko
San Francisco
Suzanne Goin
Lucques
Los Angeles
Charles Phan
The Slanted Door
San Francisco
OUTSTANDING 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 5 years.
Amanda Cook
CityZen at
Mandarin Oriental
Washington, D.C.
Michelle Gayer
Salty Tart Bakery
Minneapolis
Kamel Guechida
Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas
Nicole Plue
Redd
Yountville, CA
Mindy Segal
Mindy’s HotChocolate
Chicago
OUTSTANDING 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 10 or more consecutive years.
Babbo
NYC
Chef/Owner: Mario Batali
Owner: Joseph Bastianich
Boulevard
San Francisco
Chef/Owner: Nancy Oakes
Owner: Pat Kuleto
Daniel
NYC
Chef/Owner: Daniel Boulud
Owner: Joel Smilow
Highlands Bar & Grill
Birmingham, AL
Chef/Owner: Frank Stitt
Owner: Pardis Stitt
Spiaggia
Chicago
Chef/Partner: Tony Mantuano
OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR AWARD
A working restaurateur who sets high national standards in restaurant operations and entrepreneurship. Candidates must have been in the restaurant business for at least 10 years. Candidates must not have been nominated for a James Beard Foundation chef award in the past 10 years.
Tom Douglas
Dahlia Bakery, Dahlia Lounge, Etta’s, Lola, Palace Kitchen, Serious Pie
Seattle
Pat Kuleto
Boulevard, Epic, Farallon, Jardinière, Martini House, Nick’s Cove & Cottages, and Waterbar
San Francisco
Keith McNally
Balthazar, Lucky Strike, Minetta Tavern, Morandi, Pastis, Pravda, and Schiller’s Liquor Bar
NYC
Richard Melman
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
Chicago
Stephen Starr
Starr Restaurant Organization
Philadelphia
OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD
A restaurant that demonstrates high standards of hospitality and service. Candidates must have been in operation for at least the past 5 years.
Alinea
Chicago
Chef/Owner: Grant Achatz
Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas
Chef/Owner: Joël Robuchon
La Grenouille
NYC
Owners: Charles Masson and Gisèle Masson
Michael Mina
San Francisco
Chef/Owner: Michael Mina
Vetri
Philadelphia
Chefs/Owners: Marc Vetri and Jeff Benjamin