NC is getting a lot of culinary love this year from the James Beard Foundation, 12 of our own chefs, brewers, bakers and restaurants have been nominated!
For the second year in a row, Ashley Christensen is up for Outstanding Chef, having previously won the award for Best Chef: Southeast in 2014. Brewery Bhavana, not even a year old, is up for Best New Restaurant in the country. The winners will be announced at a gala in Chicago May 7. Read more via newsobserver.com
NC Finalists:
Best New Restaurant
▪ Brewery Bhavana, Raleigh
Outstanding Baker
▪ David Bauer, Farm & Sparrow, Asheville
Outstanding Chef
▪ Ashley Christensen, Poole’s Diner, Raleigh
Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional
▪ Leah Wong Ashburn, Highland Brewing Co., Asheville
▪ Sean Lilly Wilson, Fullsteam Brewery, Durham
Rising Star Chef of the Year
▪ Gabe Barker, Pizzeria Mercato, Carrboro
Best Chef: Southeast
▪ Katie Button, Nightbell, Asheville
▪ Vivian Howard, Chef & the Farmer, Kinston
▪ Meherwan Irani, Chai Pani, Asheville
▪ Sam Jones, Sam Jones BBQ, Winterville
▪ Joe Kindred, Kindred, Davidson
▪ Cheetie Kumar, Garland, Raleigh