The James Beard Awards are over, and though our Grub Street readers gave it a gallant effort, there was no Gastrodamus among you able to predict all four of the major awards. Several readers tied at predicting two of the four categories, but choosing David Chang for Outstanding Chef–New York City was a gimme. Freelance writer Lauren Shockey correctly guessed Gramercy Tavern as the winner of Outstanding Restaurant and showed an ability to get outside the New York box and correctly pick Central Michel Richard in Washington as Best New Restaurant. Shockey came up short on Outstanding Chef–NYC and Outstanding Restaurateur, passing up a layup with Chang to choose Wylie Dufresne, and not unreasonably choosing Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who not only opened restaurants in Qatar, Turkey, and Atlanta, but also has plans to open 50 more worldwide. (Wait — how did he not win again?) Her picks were perspicacious, so congratulations, Lauren. You and a friend are going to New York’s Highbrow Backyard Barbecue next month.
Earlier: Beat the Beards and Win Free Tickets to the Highbrow Backyard Barbecue
