Wednesday, March 26, 2008

The culinary awards season kicked off this week with the James Beard Foundation and Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington announcing nominations.

On Monday, the New York-based Beard Foundation named José Andrés among its nominees for outstanding chef and Komi's Johnny Monis among those for rising star chef. Central Michel Richard was one of five nominated for best new restaurant, while Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve, Eric Ziebold of CityZen and Cindy Wolf of Charleston in Baltimore were nominees for best chef in the mid-Atlantic. Importer Terry Theise was nominated for outstanding wine and spirits professional. Winners will be announced June 8. For the full list, go to http://www.jamesbeard.org.

The RAMW last night unveiled finalists for its 2008 Rammy awards. Finalists for new restaurant of the year are Brasserie Beck, Central Michel Richard, Hook, Proof, the Source and Westend Bistro by Eric Ripert. For chef of the year, nominees are R.J. Cooper of Vidalia, Todd Gray of Equinox, Michel Richard of Citronelle and Central, Robert Wiedmaier of Marcel's and Brasserie Beck, and Eric Ziebold of CityZen. For a full list, go to http://www.ramw.org.

The public will decide the winners of four categories: neighborhood gathering place, hot restaurant bar scene, power scene and voters' favorite. Votes can be cast at http://www.ramw.org or on a ballot to appear in the May 18 Washington Post Sunday Magazine. Winners will be announced June 29 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

-- Jane Black