Dominique Crenn earns top James Beard Award.
Michelin-starred chef Dominique Crenn and lauded bakery B. Patisserie were among the Bay Area’s top winners Monday when the James Beard Foundation announced its annual chef and restaurant awards, considered by many to be the Oscars of the food world.
Crenn — who owns Atelier Crenn, Petit Crenn and Bar Crenn — was named the best chef in the west region, which comprises California, Hawaii and Nevada. She is the first woman to win the award outright in 11 years, going back to Traci Des Jardins of Jardiniere, who won it in 2007. Prior winners of the regional award include Corey Lee of Benu (2017), Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski of State Bird Provisions (2015), Daniel Patterson of Coi (2014), Michael Tusk of Quince (2011) and Nancy Oakes of Boulevard (2001).
Belinda Leong and Michel Suas of B. Patisserie in Pacific Heights took home the award for outstanding baker in the country, beating out New York’s Black Seed Bagels and Chicago’s Publican Quality Bread, among others.
Meanwhile, Market Street standby Zuni Cafe won for outstanding service, while Miljenko “Mike” Grgich of Grgich Hills Estate in Ruth-
erford — who was the winemaker for Chateau Montelena who made the winning Chardonnay in the Judgment of Paris in 1976 — was named outstanding wine, spirits or beer professional.
In the other national categories, Gabrielle Hamilton of New York’s Prune was named outstanding chef, edging out Bay Area finalists David Kinch of Manresa in Los Gatos and Christopher Kostow of the Restaurant at Meadowood in St. Helena.
Seattle’s JuneBaby, a Southern restaurant from French Laundry alum Edouardo Jordan, was named the country’s best new restaurant. Kostow’s other St. Helena restaurant, Charter Oak, was the lone local representative in the category.
In Situ, the restaurant within the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, took home the prize for outstanding restaurant design for a location 76 seats and over. It was designed by San Francisco’s Aidlin Darling Design.