I’m late to the announcement of the JBF Awards semi-finalists party, but only because I am on vacation and just found a reliable internet connection.
Congrats to our Dallas area winners: Stephan Pyles in the rarefied air of Outstanding Chef, a national category; ditto for the national nod to The French Room at the Adolphus Hotel for Outstanding Service; Best Chef in the Southwest includes both Bruno Davaillon (Mansion Restaurant at Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek) and Teiichi Sakurai (Tei-An); and Café on the Green at Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas is in the running for Outstanding Wine Program. I’m stunned and thrilled to see Nick Badovinus’ name in the Best Restaurateur list. Badovinus is a low-key chef and restaurateur without high-profile partners or a team of publicists. His victory would be a real Cinderella story. The finalists will be announced on March 19 and the winners will be revealed at the James Beard Foundation Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception on Monday, May 7 in New York City. Go DALLAS!
