(above) NATIONAL NOMINEE: OUTSTANDING BAKERY
Wild Crumb
Bozeman
Photo: Hope Romeo
Celebrating Those Recognized by the James Beard Awards
The James Beard Foundation continues to recognize excellence in the culinary arts, annually awarding restaurants and chefs from across the nation for their exceptional work. This year’s top talent includes several chefs and restaurants from Montana, with eight establishments named as semifinalists and two advancing as nominees. Award winners were announced June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, after press time for this issue, but the number of early contenders from the Treasure State underscores the wealth of talent in our area, with chefs competing within the Mountain region of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming, and restaurants contending nationally. Congratulations to the James Beard Awards semifinalists, nominees, and winners.
MOUNTAIN REGION NOMINEE: BEST CHEF
Earl James Reynolds, Herb & Omni Whitefish
Photo: Jose Salinas
NATIONAL SEMIFINALISTS
OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR
Michael Ochsner and Brett Evje, PLONK Bozeman, J.W. Heist Steakhouse, and PLONK Missoula Missoula & Bozeman
Photo: Troy Matthaes
OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT
Blackbird
Bozeman
Photo: Kina Pickett
OUTSTANDING WINE AND OTHER BEVERAGES PROGRAM
One Legged Magpie
Red Lodge
Photo: Daniel Sullivan Photography
MOUNTAIN REGION SEMIFINALISTS: BEST CHEF
Brandon Dearden, Ember
Hamilton
Photo: Courtesy of Ember
Brandon Cunningham, Pangea
Missoula
Photo: Lynn Donaldson
Jarrett Wrisley, Shan
Bozeman
Photo: Amanda Mustard
