James Beard Winners Announced

As most have heard by now, Chicago's own Grant Achatz of Alinea was named outstanding chef at Sunday night's James Beard Awards ceremony in NYC. Most reports have covered outstanding restaurants and new chefs. Here are a few races that I've been following:

*Outstanding Pastry Chef: Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson, Tartine Bakery in SF.

*Outstanding Wine Service: Eleven Madison Park, NY

*Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional: Terry Theise, Terry Theise Estate Selections, Silver Spring, MD

*Outstanding Service: Terra, St. Helena, CA

*Best Great Lakes Chef (our division): Carrie Nahabedia, Naha, Chicago

*Best Chef Midwest: Adam Siegel, Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro, Milwaukee

And props to one of my favorites of the year for Cookbook of the Year: Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's The River Cottage Meat Book.

Full list.

More coverage:
New York Times [Diner's Journal]

Frank Bruni's Monday Morning Quarterbacking [Diner's Journal]

James Beard Awards Justify Excessive Afterparties [Grub Street]

Achatz/Nahabedian Grab Top Honors [ChiTrib's The Stew]

Bret Thorn's Beard Awards '08 [NRN Food Writer's Diary]