James Beard Award Nominees Announced

Vegas is quickly becoming a haven for the best chefs in the world and never is that more apparent when looking at list of nominees for the 2008 James Beard Awards. The awards are like the Oscars of the culinary world and in this year’s list, Vegas is well represented.

james beard awards Chef Saipin Chutima of Lotus of Siam has been recognized in the “Best Chefs in America” categories, which covers “Chefs who have set new or consistent standards of excellence in their respective regions.” Located at 953 E. Sahara Ave, the restaurant has often been recognized by food critics as one of the best Thai restaurants in North America, and this new accolade only reinforces the restaurant as one you must try when visiting Las Vegas.

For “Outstanding Wine Service” Vegas actually has two nominees - Aureole at Mandalay Bay, under the direction of Steven Geddes, and Picasso at the Bellagio, under the direction of Robert Smith.

Then there are the chefs who, while recognized for other restaurants in their stable, have a heavy presence in Las Vegas.

For the top level “Outstanding Restaurateur Award,” three of the five nominees are well represented in town. Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali and his partner Joe Bastianich and Richard Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises are all in this category.

Craftsteak’s Tom Colicchio has been recognized in the “Best Television Food Special” category for the show “Top Chef Holiday Special” on the Bravo Network, as well as for “Best Television Food Show, National or Local” for “Top Chef Season 3.”

This year’s James Beard Awards will handed out June 8 at a ceremony in New York City. The complete list of nominees is available at the foundation’s website.