James Beard Awards 2012


The time has finally arrived: the James Beard Awards, or the Oscars of the food world, have just been announced. After months of suspense following the announcement of this year's semifinalists and subsequent finalists, the results were announced at a star-studded gala in New York's Lincoln Center, where a smattering of top talent from Grant Achatz to Top Chef winner Paul Qui walked home with medals.

For the first time ever, there was an Outstanding Bar Program award, and it went to Jim Meehan, owner and bar manager at PDT in New York City. Other highlights? Eleven Madison Park's Daniel Humm nabbed top prize for Outstanding Chef; Wolfgang Puck spoke at length as he accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Christina Tosi of Momofuku Milk Bar fame took home title of Rising Star Chef; the pastry wunderkind declared that if she could cook anything for James Beard, it would be turkey pot pie. Read ahead to see the full list of 2012 James Beard Award winners.
  • Outstanding Chef Award
    Daniel Humm
    Eleven Madison Park
    New York, NY

  • Outstanding Pastry Chef Award
    Mindy Segal
    Mindy's HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar
    Chicago, IL

  • Outstanding Restaurant Award
    Boulevard
    San Francisco, CA
    Chef/Owner: Nancy Oakes
    Partner: Pat Kuleto

  • Best New Restaurant
    Next
    Chicago, IL
    Chef: Dave Beran
    Partners: Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas

  • Outstanding Restaurateur Award
    Tom Douglas
    Tom Douglas Restaurants
    Seattle, WA

  • Outstanding Service Award
    La Grenouille
    New York, NY
    Chefs: Noah Metnick and Colin Whiddon
    Owner: Charles Masson, Jr.

  • Outstanding Restaurant Design
    Le Bernadin
    New York, NY
    Design Firm: Bentel & Bentel Architects

  • Outstanding Restaurant Graphics
    The Americano at Hôtel Americano
    New York, NY
    Design Firm: Pandiscio Co.

  • Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional Award
    Paul Grieco
    Terroir
    New York, NY

  • Outstanding Wine Service Award
    No. 9 Park
    Boston, MA
    Wine Director: Cat Silirie

  • Outstanding Bar Program Award
    PDT
    New York, NY
    Owner: Jim Meehan

  • Rising Star Chef of the Year Award
    Christina Tosi
    Momofuku Milk Bar
    New York, NY

  • Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
    Bruce Sherman
    North Pond
    Chicago, IL

  • Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
    Maricel Presilla
    Cucharamama
    Hoboken, NJ

  • Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
    Tory Miller
    L'Etoile
    Madison, WI

  • Best Chef: New York City
    Michael Anthony
    Gramercy Tavern

  • Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY STATE, RI, VT)
    Tim Cushman
    O Ya
    Boston, MA

  • Best Chef: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY)
    Matt Dillon
    Sitka & Spruce
    Seattle

  • Best Chef: Pacific (CA, HI)
    Matt Molina
    Osteria Mozza
    Los Angeles, CA

  • Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS)
    Chris Hastings
    Hot and Hot Fish Club
    Birmingham, AL

  • Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV) — Tie
    Linton Hopkins
    Restaurant Eugene
    Atlanta, GA Hugh Acheson
    Five and Ten
    Athens, GA

  • Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, CO, NM, NV, OK, TX, UT)
    Paul Qui
    Uchiko
    Austin, TX

  • Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America Inductees
    Grant Achatz
    Chef and Author
    Chicago, IL Dana Cowin
    Editor and Journalist
    New York, NY
    Mark Bittman
    Journalist and Author
    New York, NY
    Emily Luccheti
    Pastry Chef and Author
    San Francisco, CA
    Marvin Shanken
    Publisher
    New York, NY

  • America’s Classics Awards
    St. Elmo Steak House
    Indianapolis, IN Nora's Fish Creek Inn
    Wilson, WY
    Jones Bar-B-Q Diner
    Marianna, AR
    Shady Glen
    Manchester, CT
    The Fry Bread House
    Phoenix, AZ

  • Lifetime Achievement Award
    Wolfgang Puck

  • Humanitarian of the Year
    Charlie Trotter
    Founder
    The Charlie Trotter Culinary Education Foundation
    Chicago, IL

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