NC’s Best
The James Beard Foundation has announced semifinalists for the 2009 James Beard Awards for chefs and restaurants.
Here are the North Carolina chefs and restaurants that got the nod:
—-Outstanding Restaurant: Magnolia Grill in Durham, owned by Ben and Karen Barker (pictured above).
—-Outstanding Restaurateur: Dennis Quaintance, Nancy King Quaintance and Mike Weaver of Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants in Greensboro (which own Lucky 32, Print Works Bistro and Green Valley Grill).
—-Best Chef in the Southeast:
-Mark Hibbs of Ratcliffe on the Green, Charlotte.
-Scott Howell of Nana’s, Durham.
-Bruce Moffett of Barrington’s Restaurant, Charlotte.
-Andrea Reusing of Lantern, Chapel Hill.
-Bill Smith of Crook’s Corner, Chapel Hill.
-Chip Smith of Bonne Soiree, Chapel Hill.
Also, Eric Solomon, a renowned wine importer now based in Charlotte, and his company, Eric Solomon Selections/European Cellars, is up for the award for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional.
The semifinals are just the first stage of the Awards. The actual nominees, or finalists, won’t be announced till March 23.
The winner in each category will be announced May 4.
