Itap a big day in the world of restaurants: The James Beard Foundation released its
For the uninitiated, the James Beard awards are the Oscars of the food world — to win one (or even make the list of semifinalists or final nominees) is a massive honor that cannot be overstated. These awards recognized the absolute best chefs, restaurants, pastry chefs, bakers and more from across the country.
A handful of Colorado restaurants and chefs made it into the semifinals, which means they have a chance to make it to the final round of nominees before the 29th annual James Beard Awards Gala in May in Chicago. The list of finalists will be announced on March 27.
The process for determining the list of semifinalists started in October with entries from an online open call and from a group of 250 volunteer panelists around the country. More than 600 judges will now vote on the list of semifinalists to determine the final nominees. Later, they’ll vote to select the winners, which are kept confidential until the award ceremony.
The judges are past James Beard award winners, leading restaurant critics, food and wine editors and culinary educators.
Here are the Colorado semifinalists for the 2019 James Beard awards:
Best New Restaurant
Best Chef, Southwest
Caroline Gover, , Aurora
Kelly Whitaker, , Denver
Outstanding Baker
Andy Clark, , Louisville
Outstanding Pastry Chef
Jeb Breakell, , Denver
Outstanding Service
, Boulder
Outstanding Wine Service
at the , Aspen
Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Producer
Todd Leopold and Scott Leopold, ., Denver
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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