Charleston has truly turned into one of the eating meccas in the United States. All over town you will run into James Beard Award (the Oscars of the food world) winning or nominated restaurants and chefs. This year is no different.
Just yesterday it was announced that Charleston has four finalists for this year’s awards (with 11 having made the semi-finals). Leading the way is Sean Brock, with his nomination for Outstanding Chef (the highest honor for an individual chef) for the third consecutive year. Brock also made the finals for his “Heritage” cookbook and his TV program, “The Mind of a Chef” — making him a finalist in three out of the possible four categories of awards. Pretty good.
Also reaching the finals in their categories were Jason Stanhope of FIG, for best chef in the Southeast, and FIG and McCrady’s for Outstanding Wine Service.
The restaurant and chef winners will be announced on May 4th at a ceremony in Chicago, and book and broadcast awards will be presented in New York on April 24th.
Adding to the Charleston flavor of the awards will be the induction of Charleston’s Nathalie Dupree into the Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America.