The James Beard Foundation awards have been likened to the Oscars of the food and restaurant world. They are prestigious awards that see the nominations of a scant few Floridian chefs and professionals here and there and honor contributions to excellent food.
From JamesBeard.org:
Covering all aspects of the industry—from chefs and restaurateurs to cookbook authors and food journalists to restaurant designers and architects and more—the Beard Awards are the highest honor for food and beverage professionals working in North America.
2014 saw the nomination of chef Greg Baker of the Refinery, chef Chad Johnson of SideBern’s, and the first time nomination of Cigar City Founder Joey Redner for Outstanding Wine, Spirits, and Beer Professional.
Redner is being recognized for his work with Cigar City Brewing, and his contribution to the world of wine, beer, and spirits, and the list of nominees is impressive.
The Competition for this award? Redner finds himself in the company of some wine and beer titans for this award:
Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional
Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE
Ron Cooper, Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal, Ranchos de Taos, NM
Don Feinberg and Wendy Littlefield, Vanberg & DeWulf, Cooperstown, NY
Mike Floyd, Nick Floyd, and Simon Floyd, Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, IN
Ted Lemon, Littorai Wines, Sebastopol, CA
Steve Matthiasson, Matthiasson Wine, Napa, CA
Stephen McCarthy, Clear Creek Distillery, Portland, OR
Garrett Oliver, Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
Luca Paschina, Barboursville Vineyards, Barboursville, VA
David Perkins, High West Distillery & Saloon, Park City, UT
Tom Peters, Monk’s Cafe, Philadelphia
Joey Redner, Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, FL
Jörg Rupf, St. George Spirits, Alameda, CA
Eric Seed, Haus Alpenz, Edina, MN
Rob Tod, Allagash Brewing Company, Portland, ME
Ann Tuennerman, Tales of the Cocktail, New Orleans
Harlen Wheatley, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY
Burt Williams, founder of Williams Selyem Winery, Healdsburg, CA
David Wondrich, spirits educator, Brooklyn, NY
Stephen M. Wood, Farnum Hill Cider, Lebanon, NH
Finalists will be announced on March 8th, with the winners being announced May 2nd for cookbook authors and journalists and May 5th for restauranteurs and chefs.