2007 James Beard Awards Anticipation

May 2nd, 2007

On Monday I will be attending the annual James Beard , 20th anniversary Awards at Lincoln Center. I’m pretty pumped about it as I have never been and I know that many big guns in the food industry will be attending. For those who are unfamiliar, the James Beard Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to nurturing America’s culinary excellence. James Beard is considered by some to be the Father of American gastronomy. Each year the awards honor people who have achieved greatness in the culinary field. The awards are literally the Oscars of gastronomy, complete with a red carpet and stars dressed in black tie. Somehow, I slipped through the cracks and managed to get a seat for myself and a lucky guest :)

Here is a rundown of the nominees and my predictions for who should win the top awards. After Monday I will provide the results and either hang my head in shame or smile proudly. We shall see! Please provide input whether you agree or disagree with my picks:

Outstanding Restaurateur
Thomas Keller (Per Se, French Laundry) , Keith McNally (Balthazar) , Richard Melman (Lettuce Entertain You), Drew Nieporent (Myriad Restaurant Group) , Jean-Georges Vongerichten (Jean-Georges, Perry Street)
My Pick: Thomas Keller

Outstanding Chef
Tom Colicchio (Craft) , Lee Hefter (Spago), Jean Joho (Everest) , Paul Kahan (Blackbird), Michel Richard (Citronelle)
My Pick: Jean Joho

Outstanding Restaurant
Boulevard, Frontera Grill, Magnolia Grill, Picholine, Spiaggia
My Pick: Picholine (only because it is the only one in NYC)

Best New Restaurant
A Voce, Cochon, Cut, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Momofuku Saam Bar, Restaurant Guy Savoy
My Pick: Momofuku Saam (very torn on this one however)

Rising Star Chef of the Year
Nate Appleman (A16), Graham Elliot Bowles (Avenue at the Peninsula Hotel), David Chang (Momofuku Noodle Bar), Patrick Connolly (Radius), Daniel Humm (Eleven Madison Park)
My Pick: Daniel Humm

Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional
Dale DeGroff, Paul Draper, Dan Duckhorn, Terry Theise, Helen Turley, Erika Strum (OHMYGOD WHAT AN HONOR!)
My Pick: Helen Turley

Best Chef: New York City
Terrance Brennan (Picholine), Floyd Cardoz (Tabla), Wylie Dufresne (WD-50) , Gabriel Kreuther (The Modern), David Waltuck (Chanterelle)
My Pick: David Waltuck

Related Posts:
2007 James Beard Awards Play by Play

Is There an American Cuisine?

One Lovely Blog Award Given to Yours Truly

Filed under Uncategorized | Comments (6)

6 Responses to “2007 James Beard Awards Anticipation”

  1. The Other Strum on May 3, 2007 10:08 am

    I’ve been to five of the restaurants listed.

    I am the fanciest person ALIVE!

  2. emily on May 3, 2007 1:14 pm

    oooh, i’m going to a16 next week! yay! i’m kind of surprised you’re picking daniel humm though, considering that you did not love emp.

  3. Erika Strum on May 3, 2007 1:18 pm

    I know, for some I picked who I’m rooting for and others I did who I think will win (if I didn’t have a preference). He’s my best guess at who will win. I don’t really think Chang will and I’m not familiar with the others. What would you guess?

  4. emily on May 3, 2007 2:59 pm

    ok, i got ya. i think in that category, i will root for nate appleman, cause that way i can get even more excited about eating at his restaurant (even though i actually don’t really know anything about it).

  5. Jon Holato on May 4, 2007 1:59 pm

    More importantly, who’s the lucky guest?

  6. Connie on May 7, 2007 10:47 am

    Thanks Emily for rooting for Nate Appleman! He is my son ~ and of course, the world’s best chef! You will love A16!

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