2010 James Beard Award Nominations Announced

The James Beard Awards are to chefs and restaurants as the Oscars are to actors and actresses. James Beard of course a food legend, on TV before Julia Child and rooted in the Pacific Northwest – though he would end up making his home in New York.

If you haven’t figured out, James Beard is a big deal.

Chefs from all over the country are invited to cook at the James Beard House, but having a Beard award to your name – is as good as winning a gold medal in your Winter Olympic sport of choice. The Portland Food scene has been on the rise for years, and sometimes it’s over looked.

Though you wouldn’t know with all the Beard awards floating around the city. I wont bore you with all of the nominations – we’ll just cut to the chase here and present you with Best Chef: Pacific Northwest.

Tip of the toque to PDX Plate.

Chris Ainsworth, Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen, Walla Walla, WA

Oswaldo Bibiano, Autentica, Portland, OR

Andy Blanton, Cafe Kandahar, Whitefish, MT

Dustan Bristol, Brick 29 Bistro, Nampa, ID

Guy Conley, Ginger, Anchorage, AK

Kevin Davis, Steelhead Diner, Seattle

Matt Dillon, The Corson Building, Seattle

Jeff Drew, Snake River Grill, Jackson, WY

Mark Fuller, Spring Hill, Seattle

John Gorham, Toro Bravo, Portland, OR

Jenn Louis, Lincoln, Portland, OR

Naomi Pomeroy, Beast, Portland, OR

Andy Ricker, Pok Pok, Portland, OR

Charlene Rollins, New Sammy’s Cowboy Bistro, Talent, OR

Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon, Portland, OR

Ethan Stowell, Union, Seattle

Ian Troxler, Lone Mountain Ranch, Big Sky, MT

Cathy Whims, Nostrana, Portland, OR

Jason Wilson, Crush, Seattle

Rachel Yang, Joule, Seattle

Seven Portland Chef’s and a total of eight from the state. On behalf of myself and ThePortlander, I’d like to congratulate all of the Oregon Chef’s on their nominations and wish them the best of luck.