You know how Food & Wine does that Best New Chefs list every year? Well, now they’re opening up a region-by-region poll to allow “the people” to decide “The People’s Best New Chef,” who’ll ultimately get their own spread in the July issue. For the Pacific we’ve got good local representation from Josh Skenes of Saison, Curtis Di Fede and Tyler Rodde of Oenotri in Napa, Perry Hoffman of Yountville’s Étoile, Corey Lee of Benu, Russell Moore of Oakland’s Camino, Brandon Sharp of Solbar in Calistoga. Also of note: Jamie Lauren gets a nod for her few months of work at Beechwood in Venice.
Now, our only confusion here is will voting for one of these chefs mean that they won’t be included among the ten F&W;’s editors’ picks for Best New Chef? Like, do they already know who they’re choosing and did they nominate people here who didn’t make the cut on their list? Because we’d like to see Skenes and/or Moore make that list this year, or even the Bay Area’s youngest rising stars, Teague Moriarty and Matt McNamara at Sons & Daughters.
Actually, we’re confused about several things. If this is really supposed to be democratic, how come we can’t find the write-in option? And will there be ten democratically elected Best New Chefs alongside F&W;’s Best New Chefs? Or will there be only one out of all ten regions, and who’s choosing that chef?
Anyway, you can vote here at Eatocracy.
The People’s Best New Chef: Pacific [Food & Wine]
Earlier: Meet 2010’s ‘Best New Chefs’ [Grub Street NY]
James Syhabout Believes in Always Being a Commis [Grub Street]
