Note This Year’s James Beard Nominees

Like last year, Portland outscored Seattle for finalists in the Best Chef Northwest category for James Beard Foundation Awards, announced earlier today.

Ethan Stowell (of Staple & Fancy and more), whose pig blood ravioli I enjoyed at the most recent Cochon 555 event, is again nominated, as is Matt Dillon (of Sitka & Spruce and Corson Building), whose nettle soup with pork kidneys and hearts remains my favorite dish served in the short history of the Cochon 555 events.

Portland boasts three nominees: Andy Ricker (I love his chicken wings at Pok Pok), Cathy Whims (serving fabulous Italian food I’ve enjoyed at Nostrana), and Christopher Israel (whose Gruner goodies I’ve yet to sample, but I’ve heard good things).

Seattle is well-represented in national categories. Canlis is again nominated for Outstanding Service, which is no surprise, as they set the standard for service in Seattle. Another repeat nominee is Tom Douglas, whose growing empire makes him more compelling than ever as a candidate for Outstanding Restaurateur. In journalism awards, freelancer Sara Dickerman gets a nod in the Cooking, Recipes or Instruction category for her contributions to Saveur magazine. And incoming Seattle Weekly restaurant critic Hanna Raskin is up for an award in the Group Food Blog category for her “City of Ate” writing for the Dallas Observer.

Nominees will learn their fate during festivities early May in New York City. (Here is a list of all the nominees.) Seattle is assured at least one winner, as FareStart will win a well-deserved James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award.