Chef Sean Brock of McCrady’s beat out some tough competition in New York City last night to win the Best Chef Southeast James Beard Award, considered the Oscars of the culinary world.
On Twitter, the live bloggers of the James Beard Foundation reported his response to winning: “Holy shit!”
Publicist Melany Mullens was tweeting out pictures of Brock partying with Daniel Boulud, who also won a JBF Award for Outstanding Restaurant.
This is the third year in a row that a Charleston chef has won the Best Chef Southeast category. Mike Lata of FIG won in 2009 and Robert Stehling of Hominy Grill won in 2008.
If we know anything about the impact of the Beard Awards from these guys, we know it’s very good for business. It’s also very good for Charleston. Atlanta must be getting a complex right about now.
For a complete list of winners and a play-by-play of the evening, check out the JBF site. Love Best of Charleston? Help the Charleston City Paper keep Best of Charleston going every year with a donation. Or sign up to become a member of the Charleston City Paper club.