Winners Announced For 2002 James Beard Foundation Awards

Two top Restaurant Awards were presented to women at this evening's Twelfth Annual James Beard Foundation Awards at a ceremony held at the New York Marriott Marquis. The All-Clad Cookware Outstanding Chef Award went to Lidia Mattichio Bastianich of Felidia Ristorante in New York, only the second female chef to take that honor in the Awards' 12-year history; the first was Alice Waters in 1992. Sherry Yard, Spago Beverly Hills, California, was named All-Clad Bakeware Outstanding Pastry Chef. A total of 65 awards were presented to culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their field. More than 1700 food and beverage industry professionals attended the nearly three-hour presentation hosted by Lisa Ling, co-host of ABC's "The View."

The entire restaurant industry of New York City was honored with the Humanitarian of the Year Award for its "selfless and heroic response to the attacks on September 11." A moving four-minute video tribute featuring firemen and rescue workers thanking New York City's restaurants was aired in place of a medallion presentation.

"Tonight is the first time since the tragic events of September 11 that so many members of this nation's culinary industry have gathered in New York City. This evening, in addition to honoring our colleagues for their achievements, we will also take time to remember those who we lost and to acknowledge those who provided aid in such dire times of need," said James Beard Foundation President, Len Pickell.

More than 500 food and beverage industry professionals in the U.S. vote by confidential ballot for the nominees and winners of The James Beard Foundation Awards. Ernst & Young LLP tabulates the ballots.

Award winners receive a bronze medallion engraved with the image of James Beard, the late journalist, cookbook author, chef and cooking teacher. A full listing of awards results and photos from the ceremony can be found at www.jamesbeard.org. Here is a summary of highlights:

KitchenAid Cookbook Awards

The Foundation presented awards in 14 categories for food and beverage books published in 2001 in the U.S. and Canada. The Bread Baker's Apprentice: Mastering the Art of Extraordinary Bread written by Peter Reinhart and published by Ten Speed Press was named KitchenAid Cookbook of the Year. The book also received an award medallion in the Baking and Desserts category. North Atlantic Seafood by Alan Davidson, first published by Viking Press, was inducted into the KitchenAid Cookbook Hall of Fame for its timeless appeal. A revised version of North Atlantic Seafood will be re-issued in January 2003 U.S. by Ten Speed Press.

Chef/Restaurant Awards

In addition to the awards presented to Chef Bastianich and Pastry Chef Yard, New York City's Gotham Bar & Grill was named S.Pellegrino Outstanding Restaurant for a restaurant in operation for more than 10 years that has set national industry standards. New York City's Craft was named illy Best New Restaurant for a restaurant opened in 2001. Jean-Frangois Bruel, DB Bistro Moderne, New York City, was named Gallo of Sonoma Rising Star Chef of the Year for a chef age 30 or younger. Andrea Immer, French Culinary Institute, was named Hudson Valley Foie Gras Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional. Charlie Trotter's, Chicago, received the Avero Outstanding Service Award, and Gramercy Tavern, New York City, received the Sub-Zero Freezer Outstanding Wine Service Award.

The legendary restaurateur George Lang, owner of New York City's Cafi des Artistes and Gundel in his native Budapest, Hungary, was presented with The James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. A tribute video to Lang's life featured reminiscences by journalists Walter Cronkite and Morley Safer, designer Milton Glaser and restaurateur Drew Nieporent who presented the award to Lang.

Recipients of the American Expre