Tag Archives: James Beard Foundation Awards

Fifth time a charm for Hastings in New York

Posted on May 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

Chris Hastings. Kent Miller/James Beard FoundationThe news reverberated last night among foodies throughout the state of Alabama. Chris Hastings has already been enjoying a pretty special year – including a win on Iron Chef America and appearing in cities like Charlotte, NC and Charleston, SC.

Now, after four previous nominations for the James Beard Foundation Award’s Best Chef, South category over the last five years, came this:

[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/#!/beardfoundation/status/199647066471936000″]

Considering it’s the second ever Year of Alabama Food, it’s only fitting that the campaign’s official website had a post up on their Alabama Farm to Table blog congratulating the owner of Hot & Hot Fish Club shortly after it was announced on Monday night.

Of course if you’re out and about travelling, you may interested in knowing who else took home awards during last night’s ceremony (PDF).

Photo: Chris Hastings. Kent Miller/jbfa.

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Highlands, Hot and Hot outstanding to us regardless

Posted on May 3, 2010 | 1 comment

Frank StittThe James Beard Foundation announced earlier this evening that Daniel in New York City has been awarded the 2010 James Beard Awards for Outstanding Restaurant.

Highlands Bar & Grill in Birmingham’s Five Points South neighborhood had been named a finalist for the prestigious award presented during the awards ceremony at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.

It is the second time in three years that Frank Stitt‘s restaurant had been honored with a finalist nomination. The other time was in 2008.

Stitt himself was named Best Chef, Southeast by the Beard Foundation in 2001. Chris Hastings of Hot and Hot Fish Club was nominated for the same honor in the Southern region this evening but also wasn’t victorious. He has also been nominated twice in the last three years (2008, 2010).

This year’s finalist selection had probably received even more attention than normal locally due to his ongoing objection to a project that would place a Chick Fil A restaurant – with a drive-through window – around the corner from the award-winning destination.

The Bright Star in Bessemer was honored as an American Classic (as reported by several media outlets earlier this year) during the ceremony.

Photo: Courtesy Southern Foodways Alliance.

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Chris and Frank are at it again

Posted on February 17, 2009 | Leave a comment

One day I’ll actually make their acquaintance and feel like I can use their first names (their last names are Hastings and Stitt in case you were wondering). This marks the second year in a row that both Birmingham, AL based chefs have made it to at least the semi-finalist round (here’s the list of contenders) of The James Beard Foundation Awards. Stitt (of Highlands Bar & Grill) is a potential contender for the nation’s best chef while Hastings (Hot & Hot Fish Club) is hoping to be a finalist in the category of best chef in the South.

The finalists will be named on March 23, with the winners announced on May 3 via a media event and the awards’ official website.

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