It's down to the finalists for the James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards [4], and two Kentuckians are up for the prestigious national award.
Chef Edward Lee of 610 Magnolia [5] is one of five finalists for best chef in the southeast. The region includes Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. Chef Anthony Lamas of Seviche [6] had previously been named a semi-finalist in that category.
Julian P. Van Winkle III is a finalist for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional Award. Van Winkle runs Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery, known for its Pappy Van Winkle's Family Reserve bourbon [7].
The James Beard Foundation is an organization "dedicated to celebrating, preserving, and nurturing America's culinary heritage and diversity," according to the foundation's website [8].
Photo: Courtesy of the James Beard Foundation [8]
Visit www.ashleeeats.com [9] to read more from Ashlee Clark.