The James Beard Foundation announced the 2013 nominees for its prestigious James Beard Awards this morning from Lowndes Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina. While Forbes Travel Guide’s service-driven star ratings cover the hospitality industry, the James Beard Awards focus on culinary excellence among chefs, restaurateurs and beverage professionals working in North America.
Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci will host the awards gala at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City on May 6. The event, which is open to the public, will also include the Humanitarian of the Year, Lifetime Achievement and the America’s Classics Award honorees, as well as the six new inductees to the Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America, an esteemed group that includes San Francisco’s Michael Mina, New York’s Zarela Martinez and Boston’s Barbara Lynch. The James Beard Foundation Book, Broadcast & Journalism Awards Dinner, which recognizes the nation’s top cookbook authors, culinary broadcast producers and hosts, and food journalists, will be May 3. Tickets for both galas go on sale today and can be purchased here.
Below are the finalists for the event’s biggest categories:
Best New Restaurant
Empellón Cocina, New York
Grace, Chicago
The Ordinary, Charleston
Rich Table, San Francisco
State Bird Provisions, San Francisco
Outstanding Chef
Sean Brock, McCrady’s, Charleston
David Chang, Momofuku Noodle Bar, New York
Gary Danko, Restaurant Gary Danko, San Francisco
Suzanne Goin, Lucques, West Hollywood
Paul Kahan, Blackbird, Chicago
Nancy Silverton, Pizzeria Mozza, Los Angeles
Outstanding Restaurant
August, New Orleans
Blue Hill, New York
Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham, Ala.
The Slanted Door, San Francisco
Spiaggia, Chicago
Outstanding Service
Del Posto, New York
Quince, San Francisco
The Restaurant at Meadowood, St. Helena, Calif.
Topolobampo, Chicago
Vetri, Philadelphia
Outstanding Restaurateur
Maguy Le Coze, Le Bernardin, New York
Donnie Madia, One Off Hospitality Group, Chicago
Piero Selvaggio, Valention Restaurant Group, Los Angeles
Carolyn Styne, Lucques, West Hollywood
Phil Suarez, Suarez Restaurant Group, New York
Rising Star Chef of the Year
Jimmy Bannos, Jr., Purple Pig, Chicago
Danny Bowien, Mission Chinese Food, San Francisco and New York
Thomas McNaughton, Flour + Water, San Francisco
David Posey, Blackbird, Chicago
Blaine Wetzel, The Willows Inn, Lummi Island, Wash.
Outstanding Pastry Chef
Dominique Ansel, Dominique Ansel Bakery, New York
Melissa Chou, Aziza, San Francisco
Ken Forkish, Ken’s Artisan Bakery, Portland, Ore.
Hedy Goldsmith, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
Brooks Headley, Del Posto, New York
Outstanding Wine Program
A16, San Francisco
The Barn at Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tenn.
CityZen at Mandarin Oriental, Washington, D.C.
Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, Colo.
Picasso, Las Vegas
Outstanding Bar Program
The Aviary, Chicago
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, Spirits or Beer Professional
Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton De.
Merry Edwards, Merry Edwards, Sebastopol, Calif.
Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn Brewery, New York
Neal Rosenthal, Rosenthal Wine Merchant, New York
David Wondrich, Spirits Educator, New York
See the complete list of 2013 James Beard Award nominees here.
Photos courtesy of Blackberry Farm, Sean Brock, Stephanie Izer, Meadowood Napa Valley and Rénee S. Suen
