Las Vegas Weekly

February 18, 2010 · 3:22 PM

Las Vegas is well represented in 2010 James Beard nominations

By Robin Leach

Shawn McClain.

Photo: Jeff Kauck

The just-announced 2010 James Beard Foundation Awards’ list of restaurant and chef awards semifinalists includes many star chefs who have made a mark in Las Vegas’ world-class fine dining scene and includes major local recognition for Shawn McClain’s Sage at Aria and Restaurant Charlie in the Palazzo.

In the Outstanding Restaurateur category, the nominees include Richard Melman, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Chicago. Richard owns the Eiffel Tower restaurant at the Paris. For Outstanding Chef, there’s Tom Colicchio, Craft, NYC, who has an outpost at MGM Grand; Michael Mina, Michael Mina, San Francisco, who has restaurants at the Bellagio, Aria and MGM Grand; and Julian Serrano, Picasso at Bellagio, who also has his self-named restaurant in Aria.

For Outstanding Restaurant, the nominees include Babbo, NYC, by Mario Batali, who has restaurants in The Venetian and Palazzo; Bouchon, Yountville, Calif., by Thomas Keller, who has a Bouchon in The Venetian; and Daniel, NYC, by Daniel Boulud, whose Daniel Boulud Brasserie is in the Wynn. For Rising Star Chef of the Year, there’s Vanessa Garcia, Restaurant Charlie at the Palazzo, and Timothy Hollingsworth, The French Laundry, Yountville, which is owned by Thomas Keller.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

The chefs of CityCenter gather for the Grand Opening of Aria on Dec. 16, 2009. Julian Serrano is picture in front of -- where else? -- Julian Serrano.

For Best New Restaurant, the nominees include Shawn McClain’s Sage in Aria at MGM CityCenter. For Outstanding Pastry Chef, the nominees include Kamel Guechida, Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand. For Outstanding Wine Service, there are three local ties: Emeril’s New Orleans, Emeril Lagasse, who has restaurants at The V Venetian, Palazzo and MGM Grand; Jean Georges, NYC, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, who has a steakhouse at Aria; and repeat nominee Picasso at Bellagio.

For Outstanding Service, there are repeat nominees Emeril’s New Orleans and Joel Robuchon, plus Nobhill Tavern at MGM Grand. And for Best Chef: Southwest, the nominees include Saipin Chutima, Lotus of Siam, Las Vegas; Claude Le Tohic, Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand; and Rick Moonen, RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay.

Congratulations to all the star chefs who have helped make Las Vegas a top destination for fine dining!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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