Four D.C. Chefs Clinch James Beard Award Nominations

A half dozen local chefs, restaurants and beverage producers are finalists for the 2017 James Beard Foundation Awards, one of the most prestigious prizes in the hospitality world.

The nominees include: Pineapple and Pearls for Best New Restaurant; Bread Furst founder Mark Furstenberg for Outstanding Baker (third year in a row); Amy Brandwein of Centrolina, Tom Cunanan of Bad Saint, and Cindy Wolf of Charleston (four years running) for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic; and, Diane Flynt of Foggy Ridge Cider for Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional.

The D.C.-Metro area was well represented in this year’s crop of semifinalists, which included nods to newcomers All-Purpose Pizzeria and Sweet Home Café at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, as well as recognizing dining institutions such as Jaleo and Marcel’s.

Eater National has the full list of nominees in every category.

The winners will be revealed at the James Beard Foundation Award Gala in Chicago on May 1.