2008 James Beard Awards, Final Nominees Announced

This morning, the hallowed James Beard Foundation and its merry band of taste arbiters announced the final list of nominees for the 2008 awards. If you're keeping track, there are now 52 different categories (check the official site for the complete list), but as far as the big ones go, San Francisco nabbed some notable nominations: Nate Appleman (A16/SPQR) is up for Rising Star Chef, while two local stars—Boulevard and the Slanted Door—are among five national heavies up for Outstanding Restaurant. Nicole Plue (Redd) and Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson (both of Tartine Bakery) got nods for Outstanding Pastry Chef, while Gary Danko and Hiro Sone's Terra (St. Helena) are both nominated for Outstanding Service. As for the regional category, Northern California chefs dominated, nabbing four of the five nominations:

Douglas Keane, Cyrus (Healdsburg)

David Kinch, Manresa (Los Gatos)

David Myers, Sona (Los Angeles)

Craig Stoll, Delfina (San Francisco)

Michael Tusk, Quince (San Francisco)

Looking at the first round of nominations from February, Michael Mina missed the cut for Outstanding Chef, and a semi-surprise might be the absence of noted Bruni fave Ubuntu and noted Bauer fave SPQR from the Best New Restaurant category. The awards will take place on June 8 in New York City. And with that, here's the full list of nominees:

2008 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards

OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR AWARD

Presented by Waterford Wedgwood

A working restaurateur, actively involved in multiple restaurants in the United States, who has set uniformly high national standards as a creative force in the kitchen and/or in restaurant operations. Candidates must have been in the restaurant business for at least ten years.

Joe Bastianich/Mario Batali
Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca
NYC

Tom Douglas
Tom Douglas Restaurants
Seattle

Richard Melman
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
Chicago

Wolfgang Puck
The Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group
Beverly Hills, CA

Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Jean-Georges Management LLC
NYC

OUTSTANDING CHEF AWARD

Presented by All-Clad Metalcrafters

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

Grant Achatz
Alinea, Chicago

José Andrés
Minibar, Washington, DC

Dan Barber
Blue Hill, NYC

Suzanne Goin
Lucques, Los Angeles

Frank Stitt
Highlands Bar & Grill
Birmingham, AL

OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT AWARD

Presented by S.Pellegrino®

A restaurant in the United states that serves as a national standard-bearer for consistent quality and excellence in food, atmosphere, and service. Candidates must have been in operation for at least ten consecutive years.

Boulevard, San Francisco
Chef/Owner: Nancy Oakes, Owner: Pat Kuleto

Campanile, Los Angeles
Chef/Owner: Mark Peel

Gramercy Tavern, NYC
Owner: Danny Meyer

Jean Georges, NYC
Chef/Owner: Jean-Georges Vongerichten

The Slanted Door, San Francisco
Chef/Owner: Charles Phan

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

Presented by Lexus

A restaurant opened in 2007 that already displays excellence in food, beverage, and service and is likely to have a significant impact on the industry in years to come.

Anthos, NYC
Chef/Owner: Michael Psilakis, Owner: Donatella Arpaia

Central Michel Richard, Washington, DC
Chef/Owner: Michel Richard

Fearing's at the Ritz Carlton, Dallas
Chef/Owner: Dean Fearing
The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas

Osteria Mozza, Los Angeles
Chef: Matt Molina
Owners: Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali, Joseph Bastianich

Osteria, Philadelphia
Chef/Owners: Marc Vetri, Jeff Michaud, Owner: Jeff Benjamin

RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR AWARD

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.

Nate Appleman
A 16, San Francisco

Sean Brock
McCrady's, Charleston, SC

Gavin Kaysen
Café Boulud, NYC

Johnny Monis
Komi, Washington, DC

Matt Molina
Osteria Mozza, Los Angeles

Gabriel Rucker
Le Pigeon, Portland, OR

OUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF AWARD

Presented by All-Clad Metalcrafters

A chef or baker who prepares desserts, pastries, or breads and who serves as a national standard-bearer for excellence. Candidates must have been pastry chefs or bakers for at least the past five years.

Gina DePalma
Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca
NYC

Pichet Ong
P*ONG, NYC

Nicole Plue
Redd, Yountville, CA

Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson
Tartine Bakery
San Francisco

Mindy Segal
HotChocolate
Chicago

OUTSTANDING WINE SERVICE AWARD

Presented by Waterford Crystal

A restaurant that displays and encourages excellence in wine service through a well-presented wine list, a knowledgeable staff, and efforts to educate customers about wine. Candidates must have been in operation for at least five years.

Aureole, Las Vegas
Wine Director: Steven Geddes

Bin 36, Chicago
Wine Director: Brian Duncan

Eleven Madison Park, NYC
Wine Director: John Ragan

Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN
Wine Director: Andy Chabot

Picasso, Las Vegas
Wine Director: Robert Smith

OUTSTANDING WINE AND SPIRITS PROFESSIONAL AWARD

Presented by Southern Wine & Spirits of New York

A winemaker, brewer, or spirits professional who has had a significant impact on the wine and spirits industry nationwide. Candidates must have been in the profession for at least five years.

Dale DeGroff
Dale DeGroff Co., Inc., NYC

Merry Edwards
Merry Edwards Wines
Sebastopol, CA

David Lett
The Eyrie Vineyards
McMinnville, OR

Bobby Stuckey
Frasca Food and Wine
Boulder, CO

Terry Theise
Terry Theise Estate Selections
Silver Spring, MD

OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD

A restaurant that demonstrates high standards of hospitality and service. Candidates must have been in operation for at least the past five years.

Canlis
Seattle
Owners:The Canlis Family

Spiaggia
Chicago
Owner: Tony Mantuano

Terra
St. Helena, CA
Owners: Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani

Vetri
Philadelphia
Owner: Mark Vetri

· 2008 James Beard Foundation Awards Nominees Announced [PR NewsWire]
· 2008 James Beard Foundation Awards [Official Site]
· Priority Alert: Early James Beard Nominations Released [~ESF~]

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