Best of the Suncoast 2009: Best Brush with Fame for a Local Chef
October 20th, 2009 by CL Staff in Best of the Suncoast 2009BEST BRUSH WITH FAME FOR A LOCAL CHEF
Derek Barnes makes James Beard Best Chef: South Award shortlist
When the prestigious James Beard Awards announced their shortlist of for the Best Chef: South category, we were shocked. This national culinary organization normally sticks close to urban centers for its awards, or at least focuses on restaurants and chefs that get a lot of press. But there it was: Derek Barnes, of Sarasota’s own Derek’s Culinary Casual, made the list of twenty semi-finalists.
So what if Sarasota’s chief culinary didn’t make it to the finals, the nod is still a vindication of his success, as well as a clear indicator that people are paying attention to Sarasota’s vibrant restaurant scene. It’s just a pleasure to be nominated.
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