Best of the Buzz : Slideshows

The 2008 James Beard Awards

BuzzEditor — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:59:00 GMT

Chicago’s Grant Achatz (Alinea) won the James Beard award for Outstanding Chef.

photo: Alessandra Rotondi

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Last night at NYC's Lincoln Center, the spotlight was on the food greats who gathered for the James Beard Foundation Awards. Big winners included Joseph Bastianich and Mario Batali for Best Restaurateur, NYC's Gramercy Tavern for Outstanding Restaurant and Washington, DC's Central Michel Richard for Best New Restaurant. Perhaps the greatest triumph of the night was Chicago's Grant Achatz, who not that long ago had defeated the cancer that threatened his life as well as his taste buds, winning the award for Outstanding Chef. The three-hour awards ceremony was followed by a walk-around tasting with an "artisanal America" theme – not to mention raucous after-parties. If you missed the affair (which was open to the public), check out The Buzz's photo coverage here.

– Liz Borod Wright

Slideshow: Logos in Good Taste

BuzzEditor — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:13:00 GMT

Photo: Mucca Design

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Do you have a favorite restaurant logo?

Or one you can't stand? Let us know on the Zagat Discussion boards!

Earlier this week, the Buzz took a look at the process that goes into branding a restaurant by focusing on the work of one New York graphic designer, Louise Fili. But new restaurants open literally every day, and many of them put real effort into their logos with great results. This slideshow shows a few recent logos from around the country (and one from London, too) that we found pleasing.

Slideshow: Sandwiches of Great Chefs

BuzzEditor — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:48:00 GMT

Tea sandwich trio by Michael Psilakis, chef-owner of NYC haute Greek Anthos

photo: Alan "Battman" Batt

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When top toques make a sandwich, the humble meal you can hold in your hand gets dressed up with gourmet ingredients and surprising combinations. For his book, Sandwiches of the World, NYC photographer Alan “Battman” Batt snapped the layered creations of 108 chefs and snagged the recipes. (A portion of book proceeds goes to The Children's Storefront, an independent, tuition-free elementary school in Harlem.) And while most are still recognizably sandwiches, others take the term to a new level. Here are a handful of images and a challenge – can you name the chef behind the sandwich?