While six restaurants and chefs from Northern California were under consideration for this year’s James Beard Chef and Restaurant Awards, none took home the top awards in their categories, which were announced in a Chicago ceremony June 10. Related Articles Restaurants, Food and Drink | Ouch! Celebrate poky, pointy sea creatures at Mendocino’s Urchin Fest Restaurants, Food and Drink | Remembering Anthony Bourdain: Best lines from his 2013 San Jose show Restaurants, Food and Drink | California Voice: Bring on the cannabis cafes; our nation needs them Restaurants, Food and Drink | Is California the worst state for fast food operators? Restaurants, Food and Drink | 7 terrific Bay Area things to do this weekend, However, the ceremony also offered a series of historic and memorable moments on a national scale, with Paul Smith of 1010 Bridge taking home the first award for West Virginia by winning in the Best Chef Southeast category. Bakers from Portland, Maine, took home both of the baking-related awards, with Atsuko Fujimoto of Norimoto Bakery receiving the award for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker and ZU Bakery winning for Outstanding Bakery.
Chefs in Portland, Oregon, won awards for both Best Chef in the Northwest and Pacific and Outstanding Restaurant. And New Orleans claimed major wins, taking home the prizes for Best New Restaurant and Outstanding Bar. The ceremony also included a celebration of acclaimed food writer Ruth Reichl, who received the Lifetime Achievement Aw.
