Ten years ago only a few culinary professionals were household names. Today, we have chefs who are celebrities, cookbook authors with top-selling books and food entrepreneurs coast to coast. James Beard Foundation Award nominees and winners were selected by more than 600 food and beverage industry professionals around the nation by confidential ballot. The Foundation presented awards in 12 categories for food and beverage books published in 1999 in the U.S. and Canada. The Book Awards Committee establishes its awards categories after receiving entries.
Categories reflect current cookbook publishing trends.
Charlie Trotter's , Chicago, was named San Pellegrino Outstanding Restaurant. Gary Danko , San Francisco, was named Illy Best New Restaurant. Claudia Fleming , Gramercy Tavern, New York City, was named Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate Outstanding Pastry Chef. Eight restaurants were named Bertolli Olive Oil Regional Classics, presented to locally owned and operated restaurants renowned for their timeless appeal and quality food. The Foundation presented five awards for outstanding broadcasting on food and beverage topics aired in 1999.