James Beard Foundation Award for Excellence medal // Photo via James Beard Foundation Facebook
The James Beard Award Foundation released their longlist of semifinalists for their 2018 honors Thursday morning. Minneapolis–St. Paul was well represented, placing seven entries in the regional powerhouse category of Best Chef: Midwest.
For national honors, the 2010 Best Chef: Midwest, Alex Roberts of Restaurant Alma, nabbed his second consecutive semifinal nod for Outstanding Chef nationwide. Michelle Gayer of Salty Tart scored her third consecutive semifinal for Outstanding Baker. Diane Yang of Spoon and Stable was named as a semifinalist in the Outstanding Pastry Chef category. And Jamie Malone secured a spot on two longlists, for both Best Chef: Midwest, and for Best New Restaurant in the country for her reboot of Grand Cafe.
The whittled down list of finalists will be announced on March 14, and the winners will be revealed at the awards gala in Chicago on May 7.
Best New Restaurant:
Grand Cafe, Minneapolis
Grand Cafe in South Minneapolis // Photo by Wing Ta
Outstanding Baker:
Michelle Gayer, Salty Tart, Minneapolis
Salty Tart’s Michelle Gayer // Photo via Salty Tart Facebook
Outstanding Chef:
Alex Roberts, Restaurant Alma, Minneapolis
Outstanding Pastry Chef:
Diane Yang, Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis
Spoon and Stable’s Diane Yang // Photo via Spoon and Stable Facebook
Outstanding Service:
112 Eatery, Minneapolis
Best Chef: Midwest
Thomas Boemer, Corner Table, Minneapolis
Steven Brown, Tilia, Minneapolis
Lisa Carlson, Chef Shack, Bay City, WI
Gavin Kaysen, Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis
Ann Kim, Young Joni, Minneapolis
Jamie Malone, Grand Cafe, Minneapolis
Christina Nguyen, Hai Hai, Minneapolis
