2 Minnesota chefs up for James Beard awards
Two Minnesota chefs remain in the running for the James Beard Awards, aka the "Oscars of the food world."
Steven Brown of Tilia and Jorge Guzman of Brewer's Table at Surly Brewing Co., both of Minneapolis, were named Best Chef: Midwest finalists Wednesday.
The James Beard Awards are among the most prestigious in the food world, recognizing the best in food — from restaurants to cookbooks to writing and programming — across North America.
Last year, Paul Berglund of Minneapolis' Bachelor Farmer took home the prize for best chef in the Midwest.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
The James Beard Foundation also hands out awards for culinary book, broadcast and journalism categories. Last year, two Minnesotans won there: chef and author Raghavan Iyer in the video webcast, fixed location and/or instructional category for "Indian Curries: The Basics & Beyond," and filmmaker Jesse Roesler for his documentary, "The Starfish Throwers."
Among the broadcast media nominees are Andrew Zimmern for outstanding personality/host and for video webcast, fixed location and/or instructional.
In the journalism categories, new Splendid Table host Francis Lam scored nominations in the column, food culture, humor and distinguished writing categories. He'll be up against Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine in the column category.
Winners in the media awards will be revealed April 25; food awards will be announced May 1.