Priority Alert: Early James Beard Nominations Released

The "long list" of James Beard Awards 2008 nominees has just been announced, via distribution to Beard judges. Voting is officially underway, and five finalists from each of the 19 categories will be chosen from this so-called long list.

And now, to the big awards first, where the Bay has been relatively quiet in recent years. This time around, Mr. Michael Mina is the only local to get a nod for Outstanding Chef, but a quartet of Bay Area biggies are up for Outstanding Restaurant: Boulevard, Greens, Slanted Door and Terra. No locals made the cut in the Outstanding Restaurateur category.

On the national newcomer front: in the Best New Restaurant category, SPQR, Spruce and Ubuntu all get recognition, while the Rising Star Chef of the Year list has four locals: Nate Appleman (A16), Ian Begg (Cafe Majestic), Richard Corbo (Ducca) and James Syhabout (Manresa).

The rest of the local nominees follow:

Best Chef: Pacific
Gerald Hirigoyen, Piperade
Douglas Keane, Cyrus (Healdsburg)
David Kinch, Manresa (Los Gatos)
Roland Passot, La Folie
Richard Reddington, Redd (Yountville)
Craig Stoll, Delfina
Michael Tusk, Quince
Phil West, Range

Outstanding Pastry Chef
Elizabeth Prueitt/Chad Robertson, Tartine
Nicole Plue, Redd (Yountville)

Outstanding Service
Gary Danko
Terra (St. Helena)

Outstanding Wine Service
Acquerello
One Market
Slanted Door

Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional
Mannie Berk, Rare Wine Company (Sonoma)
Rajat Parr, Michael Mina
· Complete James Beard Award Nominees [.pdf]
· Breaking: Beard Nominees Sent to Judges [Cutlets]