James Beard Awards 2017: 25 Dishes from Finalists

The list of finalists for the James Beard Awards 2017 has been announced, with the winners to be revealed at the ceremony in Chicago on 1 May.

Often described as the ‘Oscars of Food,’ the awards celebrate the best in US gastronomy, with categories covering chefs, restaurants, service and design.

This year’s Outstanding Restaurant award (presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water), which is awarded to “A restaurant in the United States that serves as a national standard bearer of consistent quality and excellence in food, atmosphere and service” that has been active for 10 or more years consecutively, will be one of the most hotly anticipated of the night.

The six restaurant shortlist is: Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, CO; Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham, AL, which is nominated for the award for an eighth time; Momofuku Noodle Bar, NYC, David Chang’s original Momofuku; three Michelin star Quince, in San Francisco; The Spotted Pig, NYC; and Topolobampo, Rick Bayless’s acclaimed Mexican restaurant in Chicago.

Here then are 25 dishes from the six nominated restaurants, to whet the appetite before the main event: