Friendly Competition: David Chang (Momofuku Ssäm Bar) beat out his friend Wylie Dufresne (WD-50) for the Best Chef in New York City award.
photo: Christina Livadiotis
Last night at 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, Gramercy Tavern for Outstanding Restaurant and Momofuku's David Chang for Best Chef: New York City. 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