Big Night for Bay Area at James Beard Awards
The James Beard Foundation Awards proved to be a big night for a few locals, who took home the coveted honors.
In the category of “Best New Restaurant,” Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski’s State Bird Provisions took home top honors, defeating the likes of fellow San Francisco nominee Rich Table, Empellon Cocina in New York, Grace in Chicago and The Ordinary in Charleston. It’s been a big first year for State Bird with the James Beard Award along with being named best new restaurant by Bon Appetit Magazine. The only question – how early will diners have to line up now to get in State Bird?
”Best Chef: West” was filled with some of the biggest names in the Bay Area – Chris Cosentino, Daniel Patterson and Corey Lee along with Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook of Animal in Los Angeles. But taking the award this year was Christopher Kostow of The Restaurant at Meadowood. Already earning three stars from the Michelin Guide and four stars from Michael Bauer at the San Francisco Chronicle, the 36-year-old Kostow has rightfully taken his place as one of the best chefs in the country. “My goal is to be evocative, not provocative,” he said on Meadowood’s website.
In the category of “Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional,” Merry Edwards from Merry Edwards Winery in Sebastopol took home the award. Founded with friends and family in 1997, Merry Edwards Winery has focused on producing Pinot Noirs with a “sense of place” from Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.
And finally, Danny Bowien of Mission Chinese Food fame won the award for “Rising Star Chef of the Year,” edging out among others, Thomas McNaughton of flour + water and Central Kitchen. Although Bowien spends much of his time at the New York branch of Mission Chinese, he has long roots in San Francisco and may be headed back to the West Coast in the near future.
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and finalists.
Photo Credit: James Beard Foundation
[…] having already been named “Best New Restaurant of 2012” by Bon Appetit Magazine and winning the James Beard Award for “Best New Restaurant” last year. The restaurant, which just reopened this week after renovations and expansion late this summer, […]