They may not have the star wattage of the Academy Awards, but the James Beard Foundation Awards are the Oscars of the culinary world. Local chefs made a healthy showing in several categories of nominees announced today.
They include: José Andrés of Minibar (and Jaleo, Zaytinya, Cafe Atlantico, and Oyamel) for Outstanding Chef of the Year; Johnny Monis of Komi for Rising Star Chef of the Year; Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve (and Majestic, PX, and Eamonn's) in Alexandria, Cindy Wolf of Baltimore's Charleston, and Eric Ziebold of CityZen for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic; and Terry Theise of Terry Theise Estate Selections in Silver Spring for Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional. Michel Richard's Central is also nominated in the Best New Restaurant category — a nomination that comes on the heels of Richard's win in the Outstanding Chef category last year.
Winners will be announced June 8th at the annual awards ceremony and gala reception at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.
