After a long delay because of Covid-19, The James Beard Foundation has announced the 2020 nominations.
You can read the full (huge) list on the PFD-PR website. Note that there is little chance all of these nominees will make it to the finals, but as they say, it’s an honor just to be nominated.
Here are the James Beard Foundation’s Oregon Nominations
Best New Restaurant
Eem
Gado Gado
Outstanding Bar Program
Expatriate
Outstanding Wine Program
Canard Restaurant
Best Chef NW
Peter Cho, Han Oak
Gregory Gourdet, Departure
Katy Millard, Coquine
Kristen Murray, Måurice
If all goes well in our tumultuous world, the final awards will be announced on September 25th, 2020
Brandon Smyth says
It sort of makes me wonder. I understand the importance of keeping up with being published every year as a form of income that is one of heft. Whatever happens, this year will own a small asterisk no matter how bold you type.
While I admire that the Farmer’s Almanac is still publishing, it strikes me as tone-deaf and transparently fiscal that the Beard Awards would go out to places that are nearly closed down, nobody can visit, and in states of internal economic turmoil.
It’s weird.
PDX Food Dude says
I had these same feelings, which is why I put the bulk over with the press releases. This morning I went back and forth over whether I was going to post them at all. In some ways, it seems totally out of touch, but on the other hand, this is probably the most prestigious award a chef can win. But I can’t help but wonder how many of these places will even be in business by this fall. But I know it means a ton to the people who are nominated.
I’m not a huge fan of the machinations of the James Beard Society, but I’m in a minority. They absolutely do good – they’ve raised over 5 million dollars to help restaurants through this rough time. But much of what they do is carefully designed to get them as much attention and hype as possible.
Thanks for your comment.