16 Women Chefs & Restaurateurs Nominated For 2004 James Beard Awards

Contact: Ali Walker
Program Director, WCR
877-927-7787 ext. 241
awalker@hqtrs.com





For Immediate Release
April, 2004




16 Women Chefs & Restaurateurs Nominated for
2004 James Beard Awards


Louisville, KY April 2004-- The professional association of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs (WCR) congratulates its members who are nominated for a 2004 James Beard Award.



A James Beard Award, presented by the James Beard Foundation, is the nation's highest honor for culinary professionals. Ann Cooper, WCR's immediate past president and executive chef at the Ross School in East Hampton, New York recognizes the significance of the awards.



"WCR is proud to have so many of its members and so many women in the industry honored by the James Beard Foundation," Cooper said. "It is inspiring to see that these talented women are among those deemed the best and the brightest by this prestigious organization."



The foundation will present the awards on Monday, May 10 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City. One hundred ninety-two nominees were announced for the fifty-seven awards to be presented.



Alice Waters, chef and owner of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California and advocate for sustainable agriculture, will receive the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award.



WCR members nominated for a 2004 James Beard Award are:



2004 James Beard Foundation Book Awards


Baking

Sherry Yard--The Secrets of Baking: Simple Techniques for Sophisticated Desserts



Healthy Focus & Vegetarian

Annie Somerville--Everyday Greens



Single Subject

Laura Werlin--The All American Cheese & Wine Book




2004 James Beard Foundation Restaurant & Chef Awards

S. Pelligrino Outstanding Restaurant Chef


Lidia Mattichio Bastianich--Lidia, New York

Rita Jammet--La Caravelle, New York



Gallo of Sonoma Rising Star Chef of the Year


Melissa Perello--Charles Nob Hill, San Francisco



All-Clad Bakeware Outstanding Pastry Chef Award


Gina DePalma--Babbo, New York

Emily Luchetti--Farallon, San Francisco


Smithfield Foods Outstanding Service Award


Nancy Oakes--Boulevard, San Francisco

Gale Gand--Tru, Chicago



American Express Best Chef: California


Tracy Des Jardins--Jardinere, San Francisco



American Express Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic
Ann Cashion--Cashion's Eat Place, Washington, DC



American Express Best Chef: Midwest
Lucia Watson--Lucia's, Minneapolis



American Express Best Chef: Northwest/Hawaii


Beverly Gannon--Haliimaile General Store, Maui



American Express Best Chef: Southeast
Kathy Cary--Lilly's, Louisville, KY



WCR was founded in 1993 by eight prominent female chefs and restaurateurs founded with the mission of promoting the education and advancement of women in the restaurant industry and the betterment of the industry as a whole. As we celebrate our tenth anniversary, WCR's membership of more than 2000 professionals represents all sectors of the industry, from culinary students to restaurant owners. To learn more about the opportunities offered by WCR, visit our web site at www.womenchefs.org or inquire toll-free at 877-927-7787.



###