The James Beard Foundation has announced the semifinalists for the 2012 awards. Oregon did fairly well, with four national nominations, and eight Northwest nominations. There was a record 57,000 online entries, a 50% increase over last year.
Five finalists in each category will be determined by a panel of volunteer judges from across the country on March 19th, and the winners will be announced May 7th.
Best New Restaurant:
- No nominations
Outstanding Bar Program:
- Clyde Common
Outstanding Chef:
- Vitaly Paley, Paley’s Place
Outstanding Pastry Chef:
- Ken Forkish, Ken’s Artisan Bakery
Outstanding Restaurant:
- No nominations
Outstanding Restaurateur:
- No nominations
Outstanding Service:
- No nominations
Outsanding Wine Program:
- No nominations
Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional:
- Steve McCarthy, Clear Creek Distillery
Rising Star Chef of the Year:
- No nominations
Best Chef – Northwest:
- Aaron Barnett, St. Jack
- Matthew Bennet, Sybaris, Albany
- John Gorham, Toro Bravo
- Christopher Israel, Grüner
- Brendan Mahaney, Belly, Eugene
- Naomi Pomeroy, Beast
- Adam Sappington, The Country Cat Dinner House & Bar
- Cathy Whims, Nostrana
- Justin Wills, Restaurant Beck, Depoe Bay
Albany? Depo Bay? I’m going to have to make some field trips. The lack of awards in some of the categories makes me wonder if our star is indeed, fading. Still, we did better than Seattle, which is really all that matters, yes? Italics were added to areas that raised my eyebrows.
Congratulations to all the nominees!
Matt Bennet catered my wedding. His restaurant is pretty great.
Can’t recommend Restaurant Beck in Depoe Bay enough.
Restaurant Beck is outstanding with innovative food concepts. The restaurant is not just a hidden gem on the Oregon coast. It is well worth the drive from Portland and definately deserving of the nomination.
Echoing what Hunter said, Restaurant Beck and Chef Wills put out some really impressive dishes, not only in their plating and design but in the overall enjoyable experience eating them. After so many years of boring “Oregon beach food”, I was really impressed when I discovered Beck.
Just went to Country Cat. Excellent Dinner last saturday. Adam Sappington was checking every dish and helped clear our dishes which gave us time to chat with him. Apparently his wife does the desserts. They were excellent Profiteroles and yummy Carrot Cake.
Hi Food Dude: You mentioned that at least Portland did better than Seattle. I am not so sure that is the case. Six Seattle chefs were nominated for Best Chef in the Northwest, which is the same as Portland—that’s a “push.” But Seattle has 5 semifinalists in the national categories versus Portland’s 4 semifinal nods.
Best New Restaurant: Altura
Outstanding Bar Program: Zig Zag Cafe
Outstanding Restaurant: Canlis
Outstanding Restaurateur: Tom Douglas
Outstanding Wine Program: Canlis
Oh yes, I think Kirkland, Washington is considered a suburb of Seattle. And the amazing Holly Smith from Cafe Juanita was named as a semifinalist in the Outstanding Chef category, which would give Seattle six semifinal nods.
Canlis? Really?
Jason Franey, the chef at Canlis, was also nominated in the category of Best Chef Northwest. So it sounds as if Canlis is doing quite well. But I know of one person who ate there last year and did not have an enjoyable meal.