Semifinalists for the national James Beard Awards were announced this morning (finalists will be announced March 21 and winners in May) and include:
- Charlotte's Eric Solomon of European Cellars for outstanding wine and spirits professional;
- Ben Barker of Magnolia Grill in Durham for outstanding chef, and Magnolia Grill for outstanding restaurant;
- Husk in Charleston for best new restaurant;
- Lauren Mitterer of WildFlour Pastry in Charleston for outstanding pastry chef;
- The lead folks behind Chipotle and Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q (both chains) for outstanding restaurateur;
- Charleston Grill at Charleston Place Hotel for outstanding service;
- and in the Best Chef: Southeast competition, the following folks in the Carolinas:
Ashley Christensen of
Poole’s in Raleigh; Scott Crawford of
Herons at the Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary; John Fleer of
Canyon Kitchen at Lonesome Valley in Cashiers; Scott Howell of
Nana’s in Durham; Shane Ingram of
Four Square in Durham; Keith Rhodes of
Catch in Wilmington; Chip Smith of
Bonne Soirée in Chapel Hill; Andrea Reusing of
Lantern in Chapel Hill; Aaron Vandemark of
Panciuto in Hillsborough; Craig Deihl of
Cypress in Charleston; and Ken Vedrinski of
Trattoria Lucca in Charleston.
Gee - where's Pacos' Tacos on the list? Charlotte is the dredges of dining...
ReplyDeleteInteresting - not a single restaurant or chef from Charlotte. Any that you would have nominated, Helen?
ReplyDelete