Mimi asked me if I would write about my experiences with the 2015 James Beard Mid Atlantic Best Chef semifinalists. The short answer is yes. The longer answer is when I looked at the list of semi finalists:- Scott Anderson, Elements, Princeton, NJ
- Joey Baldino, Zeppoli, Collingswood, NJ
- Pierre Calmels, Bibou, Philadelphia
- Hari Cameron, A(MUSE.), Rehoboth Beach, DE
- Peter Chang, Peter Chang China Café, Glen Allen, VA
- Anthony Chittum, Iron Gate, Washington, D.C.
- Lee Chizmar, Bolete, Bethlehem, PA
- Joe Cicala, Le Virtù, Philadelphia
- Nicholas Elmi, Laurel, Philadelphia
- Spike Gjerde, Woodberry Kitchen, Baltimore
- Lee Gregory, The Roosevelt, Richmond, VA
- Tarver King, The Restaurant at Patowmack Farm, Lovettsville, VA
- Rich Landau, Vedge, Philadelphia
- Cedric Maupillier, Mintwood Place, Washington, D.C.
- Konstantinos Pitsillides, Kanella, Philadelphia
- Dale Reitzer, Acacia, Richmond, VA
- Justin Severino, Cure, Pittsburgh
- Angelo Vangelopoulos, The Ivy Inn, Charlottesville, VA
- Greg Vernick, Vernick Food & Drink, Philadelphia
- Cindy Wolf, Charleston, Baltimore
I realized I had visited all the restaurants in the Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Washington, DC area in 2014. Of that list, two do not accept reservations for a party of one and the remaining would require at least a day trip to explore. I opted to wait until the finalist list was available:
- Joe Cicala, Le Virtù, Philadelphia
- Spike Gjerde, Woodberry Kitchen, Baltimore
- Rich Landau, Vedge, Philadelphia
- Greg Vernick, Vernick Food & Drink, Philadelphia
- Cindy Wolf, Charleston, Baltimore
Are you ready for a road trip? Let's go!
Be well,
Technicolor girl
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