The list of 2015 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards official nominations was revealed today, and Chicago’s vibrant dining scene is again well-represented in the field. The 25th annual awards will be presented on May 4 at the Civic Opera House (the first time they’re being held outside New York City). Visit jamesbeard.org/awards for ticket information, and the complete list of nominees/categories.
Here are the Chicago nominees in their respective categories (in bold):
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
A restaurant opened in 2014 that already displays excellence in food, beverage, and service and is likely to have a significant impact on the industry in years to come.
—Bâtard, NYC
—Central Provisions, Portland, ME
—Cosme, NYC
—Parachute, Chicago
—Petit Trois, Los Angeles
—The Progress, San Francisco
—Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis
OUTSTANDING BAR PROGRAM
An establishment that displays and encourages excellence in cocktail, spirits, and/or beer service.
—Arnaud’s French 75 Bar, New Orleans
—Bar Agricole, San Francisco
—Maison Premiere, Brooklyn, NY
—Trick Dog, San Francisco
—The Violet Hour, Chicago
OUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF
A chef or baker who prepares desserts, pastries, or breads and who serves as a standard-bearer for excellence. Candidates must have been pastry chefs or bakers for at least the past 5 years.
—Dana Cree, Blackbird, Chicago
—Maura Kilpatrick, Oleana, Cambridge, MA
—Dahlia Narvaez, Osteria Mozza, Los Angeles
—Ghaya Oliveira, Daniel, NYC
—Christina Tosi, Momofuku, NYC
OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR
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.
—JoAnn Clevenger, Upperline, New Orleans
—Donnie Madia, One Off Hospitality Group, Chicago (Blackbird, Avec, The Publican, and others)
—Michael Mina, Mina Group, San Francisco (Michael Mina, RN74, Bourbon Steak, and others)
—Cindy Pawlcyn, Napa, CA (Mustards Grill, Cindy’s Back Street Kitchen, and Cindy’s Waterfront at the Monterey Bay Aquarium)
—Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurants, Philadelphia (The Dandelion, Talula’s Garden, Serpico, and others)
OUTSTANDING SERVICE
A restaurant that demonstrates high standards of hospitality and service. Candidates must have been in operation for at least the past 5 years.
—The Barn at Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN
—Marea, NYC
—Quince, San Francisco
—Restaurant August, New Orleans
—Topolobampo, Chicago
RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR
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.
—Tanya Baker, Boarding House, Chicago
—Alex Bois, High Street on Market, Philadelphia
—Erik Bruner-Yang, Toki Underground, Washington, D.C.
—Jessica Largey, Manresa, Los Gatos, CA
—Cara Stadler, Tao Yuan, Brunswick, ME
—Ari Taymor, Alma, Los Angeles
BEST CHEF: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
—Curtis Duffy, Grace, Chicago
—Jonathon Sawyer, Greenhouse Tavern, Cleveland
—Paul Virant, Vie, Western Springs, IL
—Erling Wu-Bower, Nico Osteria, Chicago
—Andrew Zimmerman, Sepia, Chicago
2015 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Richard Melman, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Chicago
2015 JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION JOURNALISM AWARDS
(Winners will be announced on April 24, 2015)
Food and Culture
—“The Lost Apples of the South” Rowan Jacobsen and the Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living
—“The Toxic, Abusive, Addictive, Supportive, Codependent Relationship Between Chefs and Yelpers” Rebecca Flint Marx, San Francisco Magazine
—“What Happens When All-Star Chefs Get in Bed with Big Food?” by Mike Sula, Chicago Reader
2015 JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION BROADCAST AND NEW MEDIA AWARDS
For television, webcast, and radio programs aired in 2014. (Winners will be announced on April 24)
Podcast
—The Feed Podcast; Hosts: Rick Bayless and Steve Dolinsky. Airs on: soundcloud.com/thefeedpodcast
—Eat This Podcast, Host: Jeremy Cherfas; Airs on: eatthispodcast.com
—Gravy, Host: Tina Antolini; Airs on: southernfoodways.org/gravy
Television segment
—CBS This Morning’s “The Dish”, Host: Anthony Mason and Vinita Nair; Airs on: CBS
—“The Hungry Hound”; Host: Steve Dolinsky. Airs on: ABC 7 Chicago
—WCCO This Morning’s “DeRusha Eats”, Host: Jason DeRusha; Airs on: WCCO
2015 JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT DESIGN AWARDS
(75 Seats and Under) For the best restaurant design or renovation in North America since January 1, 2012
—Design Firm: Bureau of Architecture and Design, Designers: James Gorski and Tom Nahabedian. Project: Brindille, Chicago
—Design Firm: Condor Construction, Designers: Matthew Maddy; Project: Colonia Verde, Brooklyn, NY
—Design Firm: Michael R. Davis Architects & Interiors, Designers: Michael R. Davis and Ronald J. Nemec; Project: Fish & Game, Hudson, NY
