Paul Liebrandt Likely Among F&W Best New Chefs

Throughout the day yesterday, Food & Wine's Dana Cowin tweeted clues to the identities of the mag's Best New Chefs, to be crowned tonight at their annual gala. Since we love a good challenge, we've been playing along. Of course, she saved the NYC local for last: Brilliant Burgundy. We can't think of any other restaurant she could be referring to besides Corton (though we're just guessing here), which means congratulations could be in order for its young and deserving chef Paul Liebrandt.

As for the other clues, we think they point to Beast (Portland), Hungry Mother (Cambridge), A16 (SF), Animal (LA), Reef (Houston), Meadowood (Napa), and Restaurant Eugene (Atlanta). The clue "Southern flower" still has us stumped, and clue #8 ("Season 3 Small Mountain NW") could refer to Boulder's Top Chef winner Hosea, but he won season 5. Anyone who cracks those has a good chance at winning tickets to the party. UPDATE: A reader writes in with guesses to the remaining clues: Donald Berigman at Magnolia in Charleston and Jason Vernon from Crested Butte, CO. Another suggests Spring Hill Seattle.
· All Best New Chefs Coverage [~E~]
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