Boulevard Finally Wins The Big One
It’s the Academy Awards of the culinary world. And finally, after eight years of being nominated in the category of Outstanding Restaurant, Boulevard is the top dog in all the land, taking home a James Beard Foundation Award.
In an otherwise tough night for the Bay Area, Chef/Owner Nancy Oakes and Restaurateur/Designer Pat Kuleto were both on hand to receive the award, edging out formidable nominees Balthazar and Blue Hill in New York City, Highlands Bar and Grill in Birmingham and Vetri in Philadelphia.
Nominees in the category are deemed “a restaurant in the United States that serves as a national standard-bearer for consistent quality and excellence in food, atmosphere and service” according to the James Beard Foundation criteria.
The only other local to take home an award was pastry chef Emily Luchetti, who was a 2012 James Beard Foundation Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America Inductee.
The award that seemed destined to go to a Bay Area chef was Outstanding Chef: Pacific with nominees including Christopher Kostow, Chris Cosentino, Michael Chiarello and Daniel Patterson. But talented chef Matt Molina from Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles beat the odds and nabbed the award from his counterparts up north.
Next in Chicago took home Best New Restaurant, Daniel Humm from Eleven Madison Park in New York City was awarded Outstanding Chef and Christina Tosi from Momofuku Milk Bar received the Rising Star Chef of the Year.
Click here for all the award winners.
