Oregon chef, bakery take home trophies from esteemed James Beard Awards
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Months after multiple Oregon chefs and restaurants were announced as contenders for the James Beard Awards, just two claimed trophies at this year’s ceremony.
The annual event, from the culinary nonprofit inspired by the late Portland chef of the same name, was held in the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The organization reported that more than 1,500 people attended the ceremony co-hosted by Nyesha Arrington of “Next Level Chef” and Andrew Zimmern of the Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern.”
Of the numerous winners revealed on Monday, Portland’s JinJu Patisserie was the one to snag the trophy for Outstanding Bakery.
“What an incredible honor for us as pastry chefs and proud members of this amazing community,” JinJu Patisserie said, in part, in an Instagram post celebrating the win. “Thank you so much for believing in us. Your unwavering support for our small bakery made this achievement possible. A huge thank you to our team for your dedication and hard work. You all deserve a nice bonus!”
JinJu Patisserie was up against Wyoming’s Atelier Ortega, California’s Gusto Bread, Texas’ Starship Bagel and New Hampshire’s Super Secret Ice Cream. While the Boise neighborhood bakery was named a finalist among national contenders, Oregon’s other winner was fighting for a trophy in a regional category.
Timothy Wastell, behind Amity’s Antica Terra, was announced as the Pacific Northwest’s Best Chef.
“A recognition that mirrors what we’ve long known — that his work is a kind of quiet alchemy,” the Antica Terra team wrote on social media. “His reverence for the land, for ingredients, for the people who grow them, is matched only by the care with which he prepares each plate.”
His competition included Ryan Roadhouse of Portland’s Nodoguro, Joshua Dorcak of Ashland’s MÄS, Jay Blackinton of Orcas Island, Wash.’s Houlme and Beau Schooler of Juneau, Alaska’s In Bocca Al Lupo.
Two other Oregon businesses were nominated in other categories, but they didn’t go home with awards. Portland’s Coquine was a finalist for Outstanding Restaurant and Scotch Lodge was a finalist for Outstanding Bar.