The James Beard Awards, what an inspiration. This was our first year actually attending the ceremony, and boy was it heartwarming. So many tributes to mom and dad, to team work, to hard work, and to never stopping the believing.
The night started off with a bang: our good friend Timothy Hollingsworth of the French Laundry and the 2009 US representative to the Bocuse d'Or won Rising Star Chef. Our night ended on the makeshift dance floor of Eleven Madison Park, cutting a rug with Mr. Cutlets. What can we say, the boy's got moves.
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A heartfelt congratulations to all of the winners, but we'd like to make a few specific shout-outs to our friends and mentors who took home some very big honors:
Daniel Boulud, Chef/Owener of Restaurant Daniel, for Outstanding Restaurant, and for constantly pushing us all to do better.
Rocky Cirino, GM of Marea, for Best New Restaurant and all around good looks.
Keith McNally, Owner of the many restaurants that made us fall in love with New York, for Outstanding Restaurateur.
Daniel Humm, Will Guidara, James Kent (the 2011 Bocuse d'Or representative) Jordan Salcito, and so many more of the incredible team at Eleven Madison Park, for Best Chef, NYC, and for best party.
All of you inspire us. Every day. To do more and to be better. And we thank you.
