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2018 James Beard Foundation Awards Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists Announced

February 15, 2018

2018 James Beard Foundation Awards Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists Announced

Congratulations to all the James Beard Foundation semifinalists in the 2018 Restaurant and Chef Awards - this being the "long list" before the list is winnowed down to the official finalists. On Wednesday, March 14, 2018, the Foundation will announce the final nominees for all Award categories during a press conference at Parc, hosted by James Beard Award–winning restaurateur Stephen Starr, in Philadelphia. The event will take place at 9:30 A.M. EST and will be streamed live online (details coming soon on the JBF website) and live-Tweeted via the James Beard Foundation Twitter feed at twitter.com/beardfoundation.

Following are this year's RAMW member James Beard Foundation Award nominees, many of which are familiar as RAMMY Award Nominees and Winners:

  • Best New Restaurant: ChiKo (Co-owner Scott Drewno - 2016 RAMMYS Chef of the Year Winner)
  • Best New Restaurant: Del Mar (Owner Fabio Trabocchi - 2013 RAMMYS Chef of the Year Winner)
  • Best New Restaurant: Maydan
  • ​Outstanding Chef: Vikram Sunderam, Rasika (2013 RAMMYS New Restaurant of the Year & Beverage/Mixology Program of the Year Nominee; 2015 RAMMYS Service Program of the Year Nominee)
  • Outstanding Chef: Fabio Trabocchi, Fiola (2013 RAMMYS Chef of the Year, 2014 RAMMYS Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year & 2016 RAMMYS Service Program of the Year Winner)
  • ​Outstanding Restaurant: Jaleo (2013 RAMMYS Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year Nominee)
  • Outstanding Restaurateur: Ashok Bajaj, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group (2013 RAMMYS Restaurateur of the Year Winner)
  • Outstanding Service: Marcel's by Robert Wiedmaier (2013 RAMMYS Wine Program of the Year, 2015 RAMMYS Service Program of the Year & 2016 RAMMYS Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year Winner)
  • Outstanding Wine Program: BOURBON STEAK (2015 RAMMYS Cocktail Program of the Year Winner & 2016 RAMMYS Wine Program of the Year Nominee)
  • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Daniela Moreira, Timber Pizza Company
  • Best Chef Mid-Atlantic: Amy Brandwein, Centrolina (2016 RAMMYS New Restaurant of the Year & Chef of the Year Nominee)
  • Best Chef Mid-Atlantic: Tarver King, The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm (2014 RAMMYS Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year Nominee, 2015 RAMMYS Upscale Casual Brunch Nominee & 2017 RAMMYS Chef of the Year Winner)
  • Best Chef Mid-Atlantic: Cedric Maupillier, Convivial (2016 RAMMYS New Restaurant of the Year & Chef of the Year Nominee; 2017 RAMMYS Upscale Brunch of the Year Winner)

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