Update: Unfortunately–and very surprisingly–none of the Valley’s glorious chefs or restaurants are among this year’s James Beard Foundation Award finalists. For a list of nominees, visit www.jbfawards.com. Winners will be announced in May.
Need proof that Arizona is home to some of the nation’s most incredible culinary talent? (You know, besides the amazing food at our local restaurants.) Well, eight of our state’s finest are among the list of the 2009 James Beard Foundation Awards semifinalists. This list will be cut down to five nominees per category next month, with the winners being announced on May 4.
Sam Fox, of Fox Restaurant Concepts, and the man behind such popular ventures are Sauce, Bloom, North and Olive + Ivy is up for Outstanding Restauranter.
Vincent Guerithault
Local culinary legends Janos Wilder of Janos in Tucson and Vincent Guerithault of Vincent on Camelback are in the running for Outstanding Chef.
Phoenix’s NOCA received a nod for Best New Restaurant.
Restaurant Row’s Kazimierz World Wine Bar in Old Town Scottsdale is nominated for Outstanding Wine Service.
Beau Macmillan
Marc Ehrler of Ventana Room at Tucson’s Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Kevin Binkley of Cave Creek’s Binkley’s Restaurant, and Beau MacMillan of elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa are all among the preliminary nominees for Best Chef: South.
Congrats to all the amazing nominees! Check back next month when we bring you the list of finalists for the 2009 James Beard Foundation Awards.
Yay that’s exciting! I love Janos in Tucson, he’s such a nice man too! I still have yet to go to Noca, I will definitely have to make a trip out there now.
GO SAM FOX!!
I love Sam Fox and his restaurants! Congratulations!!!
I cant believe I have not been to Binkleys yet, and this NOCA in PHX sounds worth a drive too. i have to get to those soon.
I’ve met Beau and Kevin and tasted their food, they definitely deserve the honor!
But my big vote goes for Sam Fox. I worked for him way back in 1995. And I can say he’s definitely a visionary when it comes to the restaurant biz! Go Sam!
Of course we’re all rooting for our favorite, Sam Fox!
All Fox Restaurants are amazing.
Mark Tarbell is my favorite chef in Phoenix and everyone who has not been there stop in at Tarbells at 32nd Street and Camelback!
I’m a big supporter for sam fox, his concepts of ambiance, food, & customer comfort are unparaleled.
Why do I say this, because he’s my son.
[…] are in order to several Arizona chefs and restaurants, as the James Beard Foundation Awards were just announced. Here are the deserving […]
Does anyone know who the responsible parties actually are for nominating Chefs here in Phoenix/Scottsdale? I think we’d all like to have that information.