Several Valley chefs and restaurateurs were shut out today when the James Beard Foundation announced finalists for its annual awards, the culinary equivalent of the Oscars.
Jack Strong (Kai) and Kevin Binkley (Binkley’s) had made the “long list” announced last month for Best Chef Southwest, but neither are among the five finalists in the category. The Southwest region includes Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.
Nobuo Fukuda, chef at Sea Saw in Scottsdale, won last year’s award for Best Chef Southwest. Arizona has had nine winning chefs, more than any other state in the region.
Other Valley long-list honorees who failed to make the final five in their respective categories: Vincent Guerithault (Vincent’s on Camelback) for Outstanding Chef, Sam Fox (Fox Restaurant Concepts) for Outstanding Restaurateur and Scottsdale’s Kazimierz World Wine Bar for Outstanding Wine Service.
See the final list of nominees here. The winners will be announced June 8.
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That’s to bad.. well they will be our secret for the next year! Thanks for sharing Jess, you rock!
Well, I’ll try this EV Site. Attention all Italian Foodies!!!!. I am sad to report that Mario Vincitorio was involved in an horriffic motorcycle accident about 2 weeks ago. He was hit by a DUI idiot. He owns Tempe’s “VinciTorio” on Elliot. As you know if you’ve been there that this was sighted last year in Phoenix Magazine as one of East Valley’s best in a 5 page spread. Poor Mario has suffered many broken bones and will need countless surgeries and months of rehab to get back in to the restaurant. I am challenging ALL and I mean ALL Itallians and Italian eateries in the greater Phoenix area to rally around to help. As you know you need support even in the best of times when you own a restaurant, NOW he and his family really need it. Please go to their web site “VinciTorio’s.com” or Google and show your support financially and emotionally. How about all you wonderful Italians and eateries throw him a fund raiser? You know all the great food, music and wine, with some silent auction items? THANKS.. Pat Crawford