Every year, we await the release of the list of James Beard Foundation Awards Semifinalists. This list of the top industry professionals recognizes outstanding achievement in a number of categories. These nominees are selected from over 21,000 entries received in an online open call held in October. This year, there was some presence from South Florida chefs and restaurants. This list is only for the semifinalists. The finalists will be announced on March 22, 2010. Follow James Beard Foundation on twitter to be one of the first to hear the finalists.
Outstanding Restaurateur:
Myles Chefetz, Myles Restaurant Group, Miami Beach, FL (Prime 112, Prime Italian, Nemo, Shoji Sushi, Big Pink)
Outstanding Chef:
Michael Mina, Michael Mina, San Francisco
Rising Star Chef of the Year:
Sam Gorenstein, BLT Steak at the Betsy Hotel, Miami Beach, FL
Best New Restaurant:
Eos at Viceroy, Miami
Soleá at the W South Beach, Miami Beach, FL
Outstanding Pastry Chef:
Hedy Goldsmith, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
Best Chef – South:
Zach Bell, Cafe Boulud, Palm Beach
Dean James Max, 3030 Ocean at Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
Philippe Ruiz, Palme d’Or at the Biltmore, Coral Gables, FL
Michael Schwartz, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Miami
Kris Wessel, Red Light Little River, Miami
This past week we experienced everything Italian, just in time for next week’s VinItaly. From the organic Italian specialties from Giancarla Bodoni at Escopazzo to the buzzing bar area at Bice in Palm Beach, our members were glowing with food fantasies.
Chef Giancarla Bedoni and Jen Weiss
Tuesday, we stopped at Escopazzo — recently voted one of the Top Ten Most Important Restaurants of the Decade by Lee Klein of Miami New Times. We were treated like royalty while we were there, and spoiled with generous amounts celeriac and potato pancakes with apple and onion compote, pancetta crisps, fontina and mushroom palmiers and more — each bursting with flavor, thus, making for some extremely happy guests.
Pasqua Pinot Grigio and Garganega 2007 and Fattoria Montellori Chianti DOCG 2005
To pair with these sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, International Wine Imports supplied us with some beautiful wines, and joined us in the festivities. With all of the new, hip restaurants opening up everyday sometimes the established ones get forgotten about, but Escopazzo is definitely back on our radar — as they know how to serve flavorful cuisine in a lovely atmosphere with a staff that is knowledgeable, genuine and completes that fine dining experience. If you’d like to check out some more photos from our event, join our facebook page or you can see a slideshow here.
Escopazzo is located at 1311 Washington Ave on South Beach. 305-674-9450
Wednesday meant it was time to head up to Palm Beach, and this week’s event led us to Bice. The evening was filled with new faces, Italian treats and great energy – an ideal way to get us past the mid-week.
Once again, we were treated kindly, and enjoyed an night out Bice-style. As our event finished up, we quickly learned that Bice brings in a lively crowd, and that it is a perfect destination to gather on Wednesday nights around 9:00 pm for live music. Bice is located at 313 1/2 Worth Ave in Palm Beach.
Thank you to everyone who came out this week and we hope to see you next week at The News Lounge on Tuesday, and at McCormick & Schmick’s in West Palm Beach on Wednesday evening.