James Beard Foundation Restaurant Nominees Announced

The James Beard Foundation on Wednesday released its 2016 list of Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists. Many of the restaurants and chefs nominated are located in and near Patch cities.

On Monday, May 2, the Foundation will announce the winners for this year’s awards at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Here’s a very selected list of Beard nominees from our areas, with descriptions of categories provided by the Foundation:

(the entire list can be found here)

Outstanding Chef
A working chef in America whose career has set national industry standards and who has served as an inspiration to other food professionals. Eligible candidates must have been working as a chef for the past five years.

• David Kinch, Manresa, Los Gatos, CA
• Christopher Kostow, The Restaurant at Meadowood, St. Helena, CA

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 won a James Beard Foundation chef award in the past five years.

• Cindy Pawlcyn, Napa, CA (Mustards Grill, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen, Cindy’s Waterfront at the Monterey Bay Aquarium)

Outstanding Wine Program
A restaurant in operation five or more years that serves as a standard bearer for excellence in wine service through a well-presented wine list, knowledgeable staff, and efforts to educate customers about wine.

• Press, St. Helena, CA

Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional
A beer, wine or spirits professional who has made a significant national impact on the restaurant industry.

• Vinnie Cilurzo, Russian River Brewing Company, Santa Rosa, CA
• Miljenko Grgich, Grgich Hills Estate, Rutherford, CA
• Ted Lemon, Littorai Wines, Sebastopol, CA
• Steve Matthiasson, Matthiasson Wines, Napa, CA
• Mannie Berk, Rare Wine Co., Brisbane, CA
• Lance Winters, St. George Spirits, Alameda, CA

San Francisco nominees fared very well in the fierce competition.

Those nominated for Best Restaurant include:

• Acquerello, San Francisco
• Foreign Cinema, San Francisco
• Restaurant Gary Danko, San Francisco

Liholiho Yacht Club, San Francisco was named among the Best New Restaurants.

-image via James Beard.org