FoodWire: James Beard Foundation Opens 2010 Awards Nominations

Doesn't seem that long ago that I was reporting on Gerard Craft of Niche, Taste by Niche and the soon-to-open Brasserie by Niche being a finalist for the 2009 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards. Now the foundation has opened the nominations for the 2010 awards. Anyone can nominate a chef or restaurant in the appropriate categories -- you simply have to register (for free) on the James Beard foundation website. You have until the end of the day on December 31 to submit your nominations.

Craft was the only St. Louis chef to be a finalist in the "Best Chef - Midwest" category last year, but two other area chefs joined him among the semifinalists for the award: Josh Galliano of Monarch and Kevin Nashan of Sidney Street Café.