7:30 PM: Avery Fisher Hall
'Twas quite an event the James Beard Foundation threw last night: the JBF awards ceremony followed by a gala tasting. Though the venue was way too big for the foundation's britches -- note empty non-orchestra seating -- it was a significant improvement over past Beard awards shows, a sentiment that turned into a press room refrain by the night's end.
New York award winners were David Chang (Rising Star), L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Best New Restaurant), Michael Laskonis of Le Bernardin (Outstanding Pastry Chef) and in the NYC regional best chef category, David Waltuck upset heavies Terrance Brennan, Wylie Dufresne, Floyd Cardoz, and Gabriel Kreuther. The full list of winners, and the accompanying PR-age, is here.
Above Avery Fisher Hall mid-awards; below shots of the gala and a bonus red carpet moment.
11:04 PM: Post-awards, the tasting gala. Note, center, Steven Starr conferring with his PR, Phil Baltz. In the background, not seen but on standby for crisis management, the Ladies of Bullfrog & Baum.
11:24 PM: Post-awards, the tasting gala. Number of chefs offering foie gras: 17 too many.
11:56 PM: Post-awards, the tasting gala. Michael White, wearing his new L'Impero/Alto hat, holding court.
6:20 PM: The tourists get in on the Lincoln Center red carpet action.
· Winners Announced for the 2007 James Beard Foundation Awards [JBF]
· 2007 James Beard Awards: Martha & Dave [~E~]
All photos for Eater by Kalina
