This morning, the James Beard Foundation announced its shortlist for the James Beard Awards. Chicago managed to get 14 nominations (including two restaurant design nods), including all five in the Best Chef Great Lakes category. We previously reported that Chicago had 27 semifinalists, including 11 in the Best Chef Great Lakes category, so we can almost be certain Chicago will take home at least one James Beard Award. Let's keep our fingers crossed for a few more, since the 2016 ceremony will take place here in Chicago at the Lyric Opera on May 2.
Best Chef Great Lakes:
- Abe Conlon, Fat Rice
- Curtis Duffy, Grace
- Lee Wolen, Boka
- Erling Wu-Bower, Nico Osteria
- Andrew Zimmerman, Sepia
Outstanding Wine Program:
- Sepia
Rising Star Chef of the Year:
- Jenner Tomaska, Next
Outstanding Pastry Chef:
- Meg Galus, Boka
Outstanding Service:
- North Pond
- Topolobampo
Outstanding Restaurateur:
- Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz, Boka Group (Boka, Swift & Sons, Momotaro, Girl & the Goat, GT Fish & Oyster, Balena, Elaine's Coffee Call, The J. Parker, Perennial Virant)
Outstanding Restaurant:
- Alinea
Restaurant Design, 76 seats and over:
- Land & Sea Dept., Cherry Circle Room
- Roman and Williams (a NYC-based design firm), Cindy's
