
Earlier today, the James Beard Foundation (nicknamed “the Oscars of food world”) announced its award finalists for 2014. Five Atlanta names graced the list.
Best Chef Southeast
Steven Satterfield, Miller Union
Visual Storytelling
Susan Puckett (Atlanta magazine, formerly of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution) for “Dinin’ Down in the Delta,” “Ferm Belief,” and “Fire It Up,” in The Local Palate
Food Politics, Policy, and the Environment
Maryn McKenna (formerly of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution) for “Imagining the Post-Antibiotics Future” in Food & Environment Reporting Network and Medium
General Cooking
Richard Blais (Flip Burger, The Spence) for his book Try This at Home: Recipes from My Head to Your Plate
Wine, Spirits, and Other Beverages
Besha Rodell (former dining critic at Creative Loafing) for “40 Ounces to Freedom” in Punch
Craig Claiborne Distinguished Restaurant Review Award
Besha Rodell for reviews—”Black Hogg Down,” “Outback Steakhouse Review: Please Don’t Call This Food Australian,” “Sqirl Review: Jessica Koslow’s Tiny Restaurant Is Serving Some of the Best Food in L.A.”—published in L.A. Weekly.
Winners will be announced at the JBF awards show Friday, May 2, at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City’s Lincoln Center. Tickets cost $475.
On February 19 when the Foundation announced its semifinalists, Atlanta grabbed ten nominations (eleven including Athens).