James Beard Awards: Finalists (And Journalists) Announced

Okay, so for those of you of a mind to party on James Beard Awards night (May 7th for the chef awards, May 4th for the journalism awards–the Science & Tech Oscars of the food world), it’s going to be very easy for you to root for the home team this year. Why? Because Philadelphia pretty much fell off the map between the announcement of the semi-finalists and this afternoon’s reveal of the finalists.

While we were looking pretty good going into the big dance with 19 potential nominees (including Tashan, Franklin Mortgage, Standard Tap, Vetri, Pierre Calmels, Marcie Turney, Joe Cicala, Lee Styer, Jessie Prawlucki and others), the only local names that made it into the finals were…

Philadelphia’s 2012 James Beard Award Nominees

Outstanding Restaurant: Vetri

Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional: Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head

Television Program, On Location: A Taste Of History, Walter Staib

Food Culture and Travel: Jason Sheehan (writing for Gilt Taste) “The Birth Of The Atomic Cheeseburger“