The semifinalists for the annual James Beard Awards were announced last month. On the list were 20 national nominees for Outstanding Chef, 30 nominees for Rising Star Chef, and 200 nominees for Best Regional Chef, consisting of 20 nominees in 10 regions of America. Though there were a few pastry chefs sprinkled in (ahem) the Rising Star category, that makes roughly 250 chef nominees compared to the 20 nominees for Outstanding Pastry Chef.
Should the James Beard Awards recognize more pastry chefs? Some pastry chefs certainly think so.
New York pastry chef Shuna Lydon (Peels) penned a missive on her blog, hoping that more dessert specialists can be nominated on a regional basis as well. Former Craft pastry chef Jenny McCoy even wrote an open letter to the Beard folks.
An excerpt:
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Inside Scoop/San Francisco Chronicle