On Wednesday, March 27, the James Beard Foundation reduced its list of semifinalists for the 29th annual James Beard Awards into the final nominees for each award. Among those are the Outstanding Baker and Outstanding Pastry Chef awards.
The Outstanding Baker and Outstanding Pastry Chef categories are both represented by 5 finalists. Each category’s winner, along with all the other James Beard Award categories, will be announced at the 2019 James Beard Awards Gala. The ceremony takes place on Monday, May 6 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Here are the nominees for Outstanding Baker and Outstanding Pastry Chef:
Outstanding Baker (Qualifications: A pastry chef or baker who demonstrates exceptional skill, integrity, and character in the preparation of desserts, pastries, or breads served in a retail bakery. Must have been working as a pastry chef or baker for the past five years.)
- Zachary Golper, Bien Cuit, Brooklyn, NY
- Maura Kilpatrick, Sofra Bakery and Café, Cambridge, MA
- Lisa Ludwinski, Sister Pie, Detroit, MI
- Avery Ruzicka, Manresa Bread, Los Gatos, CA
- Greg Wade, Publican Quality Bread, Chicago, IL
Outstanding Pastry Chef (Qualifications: A pastry chef or baker who demonstrates exceptional skill, integrity, and character in the preparation of desserts, pastries, or breads served in a restaurant. Must have been working as a pastry chef or baker for the past five years.)
- Juan Contreras, Atelier Crenn, San Francisco, CA
- Kelly Fields, Willa Jean, New Orleans, LA
- Meg Galus, Boka, Chicago, IL
- Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles, CA
- Pichet Ong, Brothers and Sisters, Washington, D.C.
