chicago's own up for national top honors!

i think a shout out and a huge congrats are in order for the very well deserving local restaurants, chefs and restaurateurs who were recently nominated for the restaurant industry’s top honor – the james beard awards. We should all be proud to say the following spots are up for the prestigious awards that will be held this may in nyc.

–spiaggia for outstanding service

–chef grant achatz’s (of alinea) cookbook

-chef paul kahan of blackbird, avec, and publican (also up for best restaurant and graphic design by the way) for outstanding chef

–hot chocolate’s pastry chef, mindy segal

–bin 36 for outstanding wine service   

-best chef-great lakes category includes koren grieveson of avec, arun sampathavivat of arun’s and north pond’s bruce Sherman

-last but certainly not least, my good buddy, mr. rich melman’s new place l20 is the only Chicago restaurant nominated for “best new restaurant” and he is also up for outstanding restauranteur.  

This only goes to show you how Chicago is becoming more recognized and celebrated and how we, as residents of this great city are the ones that are making it all happen. Congrats to all and best of luck!