Small-town chef receives big award at James Beard gala
USA Today
NEW YORK — A chef working in perhaps the country's smallest restaurant market became the nation's most honored culinary pro Monday night at the James Beard Foundation Awards.
Patrick O'Connell, co-owner of The Inn at Little Washington in Washington, Va. (pop. 183), was named outstanding chef at the 11th annual gala, considered the Oscars of the food world. The award was a record fifth for the inn, which has won medals in past years for outstanding restaurant, regional chef, restaurant service and wine service.
Winners in other top categories:
- Outstanding restaurant (open 10 years or more): Campanile, Los Angeles
- New restaurant (opened in 2000): Alain Ducasse, New York City
- Rising-star chef (30 or younger): Galen Zamarra, Bouley Bakery, New York City
- Pastry chef: Gale Gand, Tru, Chicago
- Outstanding service: Gramercy Tavern, New York City
- Wine service: French Laundry, Yountville, Calif.
- Wine/spirits professional: Gerald Asher, Gourmet magazine
- California chef: Nancy Oakes, Boulevard, San Francisco
- Mid-Atlantic chef: Jean-Marie Lacroix, Fountain Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia
- Midwest chef: Odessa Piper, L'Etoile, Madison, Wis.
- New York City chef: Michael Romano, Union Square Cafe
- Northeast chef: Ken Oringer, Clio at the Eliot Suites Hotel, Boston
- Northwest/Hawai'i chef: Philippe Boulot, The Heathman at the Heathman Hotel, Portland, Ore.
- Southeast chef: Frank Stitt, Highlands Bar & Grill, Birmingham, Ala.
- Southwest chef: Robert McGrath, Roaring Fork Restaurant, Scottsdale, Ariz.
