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[title]Food-world luminaries gathered last night for the 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards.
New York was well-represented, taking home big wins in major categories. After snagging the nod for Outstanding Restaurant last year, Daniel Humm (Eleven Madison Park) was named this year’s Outstanding Chef, and Christina Tosi (Momofuku Milk Bar) won the Rising Star Chef award—the first pastry chef to ever do so. In the brand new Outstanding Bar Program category, PDT beat out cocktail heavyweight the Pegu Club, along with Chicago’s Aviary and the Violet Hour, while Paul Grieco (Terroir) nabbed the Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional award. April Bloomfield (The Spotted Pig), Wylie Dufresne (wd~50), Mark Ladner (Del Posto) and Michael White (Marea) were all up for the honor of Best Chef: New York City, but Michael Anthony (Gramercy Tavern) took home the crown, capping a year complicated by a serious medical scare with a gratifying distinction.
RECOMMENDED: See the complete James Beard Awards guide
On the after-party circuit, the bubbly was flowing and Beastie Boys (RIP MCA) hits pumped out of the stereo at Gramercy Tavern, where we spotted George Mendes, David Chang and David Bouley. At Tertulia, Seamus Mullen puffed cigars with Mario Carbone and Michael White outside the restaurant. But EMP’s champagne-soaked rager proved, yet again, to be the night’s wildest after-party, with a packed crowd of industry revelers wiling out to hip-hop anthems. Even the usually reserved Humm joined Daniel Boulud for some fist-pumping shimmying on the banquettes.
Click through our slide show for snaps of last night’s festivities, visit our Twitter stream and check out the full list of NYC winners below.
Outstanding Chef: Daniel Humm (Eleven Madison Park)
Rising Star Chef: Christina Tosi (Momofuku Milk Bar)
Outstanding Bar Program: PDT
Best Chef: New York City (Five Boroughs): Michael Anthony (Gramercy Tavern)
Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional: Paul Grieco (Terroir)
Outstanding Service: La Grenouille
Outstanding Restaurant Design: Le Bernardin (Bentel & Bentel Architects)