Earlier this week, the James Beard Foundation passed out its awards (*PDF), which are like Oscars of the food world. Sunday, Washington took home prizes for best Audio Webcast or Radio Show (the Kojo Nnamdi Show) and Newspaper Food Section (the Washington Post). But the next night, when restaurants and chefs were honored, Washington got no love. There were a number of local names in the running (*PDF), including pastry chef Amanda Cook of CtiyZen, José Andrés for overall Outstanding Chef, Komi's Johnny Monis for Rising Star, and Peter Pastan of Obelisk and 2Amys and Bryan Voltaggio of Volt for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.
José Andrés, the peripatetic Spanish chef who's known for his small-plates empire in Washington, will open two more restaurants in Last Vegas. Tom Sietsema reports Andrés is planning a version of Jaleo, his Spanish-tapas concept, as well as a Chinese/Mexican hybrid.
Tom Sietsema wrote on Twitter that Amanda Cook of CityZen, who was a nominee for a James Beard Award for best pastry chef, is leaving Eric Ziebold's kitchen after five years in the job. Sietsema followed up with another tweet saying Cook is leaving to do her own thing, according to Ziebold.
Starting this week, locavores have a couple more grocery options: Wednesday, Georgetown's market (Rose Park, 26th and O sts., NW) hosted its first market of the season. The FreshFarm Markets' White House location (810 Vermont Ave., NW)—the one that Michelle Obama inaugurated last year—opened Thursday. Today, the Capital Harvest on the Plaza (*PDF) market (1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW) debuts after a brief opening last fall. Vendors there include Firefly Farms, Gun Powder Bison & Trading, and Ayrshire Farm. Tomorrow marks the first Glover Park and Burleith Farmers Market at Hardy Middle School (1819 35th St., NW).
Prince of Petworth reports that the former Seafood & Crab space near 14th and U streets, Northwest, is set to become Chidogo, serving Italian beef and hot dogs. In other words, a place specializing in Chicago's street food. That corner is becoming a regional-foods bazaar—across the street is JJ's Cheesesteaks, serving Philly's most famous sandwich.
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