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Monday, March 24, 2008

Breaking News: Minneapolis (Almost) Sweeps Beard Awards!

The James Beard Award nominees were released today, and, in a complete shocker, Minneapolis dominates the Best Chef Midwest category: Isaac Becker from 112 Eatery, Tim McKee from La Belle Vie, and Alex Roberts of Alma are all nominated, along with Milwaukee’s Adam Siegel and Kansas City’s Colby Garrelts.

So, now the question is: Will the Minneapolis people split the vote between them—leaving someone from Milwaukee or Kansas City to win—or will one of our hometown heroes take the prize?

I tried calling all the nominated chefs, but everyone was out celebrating. Good for them. I predict a citywide run on comp’ed champagne tonight.

Of course, this isn’t just good news for the nominated chefs—it’s good news for every sous chef and line cook under them, as working at a James Beard-nominated restaurant immediately boosts employability. It’s also good news for Minneapolis in general. The country at large is recognizing what a fantastic restaurant scene we really have here. I’m grinning from ear to ear.

Hip, hip, hooray, Minneapolis!

La Belle Vie
510 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis
612-874-6440
www.labellevie.us

112 Eatery
112 Third St. N., Minneapolis
612-343-7696
www.112eatery.com

Restaurant Alma
528 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis
612-379-4909
www.restaurantalma.com

Posted on Monday, March 24, 2008 in Permalink

Comments may be edited for length, clarity, or appropriateness.

Reader Comments:
Jun 9, 2008 09:08 am
 Posted by  puffer fish

Fast breaking Milwaukee obliterates sweep. The Great Lakes competition would make it a little stiffer. Props to Aschatz!

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About This Blog

Dear Dara is the place where Minnesota Monthly readers can interact with our dining critic and senior editor Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl. What makes her so special? She’s been reviewing restaurants and covering food and wine in the Twin Cities since 1995, most notably asCity Pages’ restaurant critic, but also for Gourmet, USA Today, Wine & Spirits, Bon Appetit, and Saveur. She’s been included in five editions of the Best Food Writing anthologies, and been nominated for seven James Beard Awards – though, to tell you the truth, most of the time the medals from her four wins are buried under a pile of chocolate wrappers at the back of her desk. This blog will be where she’ll answer your questions, (though probably not all of them), dish on her latest discoveries, reflect on breaking news, and generally bring the plate to the page.
 
Send your dining questions to Dara!  Email her at dmgrumdahl@minnesotamonthly.com.