2009 James Beard Awards Winners

By JULIETTE ROSSANT It turns out that it was a smart move for the James Beard Foundation to honor women in the Gala following the awards ceremony tonight (see previous articles), since so few women won top honors (with important exceptions). How can it be that of the 22 women chefs invited to cook at the Gala, and only two were deserving of awards? Maria Hines of Tilth of Seattle and Gina DePalma of Babbo were the only female chefs to win. Furthermore, why is it so difficult to find minorities – African-Americans, Latinos, and Asians - proportionately represented among the deserving winners? As noted elsewhere in the press, the National prizes this year largely fell on New Yorker establishments and chefs, with very few exceptions. Perhaps it is time that those choosing winners, do so with an open mind that extends beyond New York and beyond the traditional male-dominated kitchens. It has been decades since the first women chefs struggled to get into the profession. It is time that these awards reflect their accomplishments year in and year out. Super Chef extends congratulations to the following winners: Cookbook of the Year: Fat: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient, With Recipes by Jennifer McLagan (Ten Speed Press). Read Super Chef's review Outstanding Chef: Dan Barber of Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns Outstanding Restaurant: Jean Georges Rising Star Chef: Nate Appleman of A16 in San Francisco. Read Super Chef's review of A16 Food + Wine cookbook Outstanding Restaurateur: Drew Nieporent, a partner in Myriad Restaurant Group Outstanding Pastry Chef: Gina DePalma of Babbo. Read Super Chef's review of Dolce Italiano Best New Restaurant: Momofuku Ko Outstanding Service: Restaurant Daniel Outstanding Wine Service: Le Bernardin Click here for a complete list of awards. Related news: Reuters Associated Press New York Times Chicago Sun-Times Minneapolis Star Tribune Chicago Tribune Philadelphia Inquirer The Plain Dealer San Francisco Chronicle Previous articles: 2009 James Beard Foundation Awards Gala Reception Menu James Beard Foundation Gala: Women in Food James Beard Foundation Gala: Lidia Bastianich Lidia's Italy and Cucina of La Marche James Beard Foundation Scholarships 2008 2006 James Beard Awards: Note Daniel Boulud James Beard Awards: Dearth of Top Women Chefs James Beard's Len Pickell Gets 1-3 Years Congratulations: James Beard Award Nominees James Beard, Emmys to Honor Julia Child James Beard Foundation's Len Pickell Pleased Guilty Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging, James Beard --> back to Super Chef