It’s been another whirlwind week for the Spiaggia team. Not only did the Champions Round of “Top Chef Masters” begin last night, but this past Monday were the annual James Beard Awards. The awards recognize chefs and restaurants around the country as being the best of the year.
Myself, my wife Cathy, our Executive Chef Sarah Grueneberg, purchasing manager Shannon McBride and Josie Lemon, one of our senior managers, flew to New York on Sunday. Sunday night we attended Chef’s Night Out, which is the annual pre-awards party hosted by the foundation and Bon Appetit magazine. We rested up on Monday for what is typically a long, fun night (and when you’re nominated, you add a bit of stress and anxiety).
Shannon, Jose, me, Cathy and Sarah in front of the fountain at Lincoln Center
Spiaggia was nominated for Outstanding Restaurant in America. We were up against four other great restaurants including two from New York (Daniel and Babbo), one from San Francisco (Boulevard) and one from Birmingham (Highlands Bar and Grill). While Daniel was named the winner, it is quite an honor to be nominated. The nomination itself reaffirms all the wonderful hard work the team here at Spiaggia does day-to-day.
The night started out very well as Cathy and I walked the red carpet with “Top Chef Masters” host Kelly Choi, which certainly gave the photographers a reason to point their cameras in our direction. Right after the awards is the gala reception where the champagne was flowing and offers a chance to see old friends and connect with new ones.
I had a great time hanging out with Grant Achatz from Alinea, which won the award for Outstanding Service, fellow nominee Frank Stitt from Highlands Bar And Grill in Birmingham, chef of the year Tom Colicchio, and super partier and legendary New York restaurateur Drew Neiporent. I also spent some time with fellow “Top Chef Masters” contestants, like my friend Rick Moonen.
Me, Frank Stitt, Drew Nieporent, Tom Colicchio and Grant Achatz pose for a pic at James Beard Awards Gala. We took this a few times and still couldn't get it right.
Then, even though we didn’t win, we still partied afterward like there was no tomorrow. We first went to Marea to celebrate their win as Best New Restaurant. Chef Michael White and his partner Chris Cannon welcomed guests in their bar area. I imagine that the diners finishing dinner at that late hour must have had fun chef spotting. We then headed to Eleven Madison Park where they were celebrating their chef Daniel Humm being named Best Chef New York City. While Cathy and I didn’t stay out too late (we had a 10 a.m. flight on Tuesday), we heard that the party went on until dawn. I remember when I used to be able to do that…
Josie Lemon and Sarah Grueneberg at Marea
Ann Pendleton, Director of Marketing for Levy Restaurants, posing with David Semanoff, one of our NYC publicists from Quinn & Co.