New
Yorkers win Beard Foundation awards
May 4, 2005
by Howard G Goldberg
Two New Yorkers won prestigious 2005 James Beard Foundation Awards
on Monday.
Joseph Bastianich, a partner in Italian Wine Merchants, a boutique
specializing in high-end Italian wines, was named outstanding wine
and spirits professional. The award is given to someone 'who has made
a significant national impact in the wine and spirits industry.'
Tim Kopec, wine director at Veritas, won the outstanding wine service
award. It goes to 'a restaurant that displays and encourages excellence
in wine service through a well-presented wine list, knowledgeable
staff and efforts to educate customers about wine.'
'Scotch Whisky,' by Charles MacLean (published by Cassell Illustrated)
was named the year's best book on wine and spirits.
Chef Thomas Keller's Manhattan restaurant Per Se, which opened in
2004, was named best new restaurant.
Bastianich, who has also co-written a book on regional Italian wine
and owns wine estates in Friuli and Tuscany, is best known for ownership
of such Manhattan restaurants as Babbo, Esca, Otto Enoteca Pizzeria,
Case Mono and Bistro du Vent.
The 15th awards gala took place amid awareness that the nonprofit
Manhattan-based Foundation, which promotes the culinary arts, is undergoing
administrative reorganization to distance itself from scandal. Its
former president pleaded guilty in January to stealing more than US$50,000
from its coffers.
The Foundation took pains on Monday to point out that 'awards recipients
are selected by more than 600 food and beverage industry professionals
who vote by confidential ballot' and that an independent accounting
firm tabulated the ballots.
One new trustee overseeing restructuring is Larry Stone, who many
in the wine trade consider America's top sommelier. He works at Rubicon,
a San Francisco restaurant.
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