The list is in!

The Beard Foundation has nominated Blackbird/Publican Executive Chef Paul Kahan for "Outstanding Chef 2009." (Photo: Blackbird)


Sooo glad I checked out Publican Sunday for the brunch everyone's raving about because it's about to get truly nuts over there.

Executive Chef Paul Kahan just received a nomination for Outstanding Chef 2009 by the Beard Foundation, which will announce winners in New York on May 4 at Lincoln Center.

Here are all the Chicago nominees for the most prestigious restaurant awards in North America:

Best Chef, Great Lakes Region: Koren Grieveson (avec), Arun Sampanthavivat (Arun's), Bruce Sherman (North Pond Cafe)

Best New Restaurant: L2O

Outstanding Service: Spiaggia

Outstanding Pastry Chef: Mindy Segal (Hot Chocolate)

Outstanding Restaurateur: Richard Melman (Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises)

Outstanding Wine Service: Brian Duncan (Bin 36)

Outstanding Restaurant Design and Outstanding Restaurant Graphics: The Publican

Cookbook in the Cooking From A Professional Point of View category: Grant Achatz's Alinea cookbook

Good luck, guys!

Weekend Tweet Beat . . .

Stephanie Izard is the executive chef/owner of The Drunken Goat, set to open in the fall. (Photo: Stephanie Izard)


What were Chicago's top chefs up to this weekend?! 312DD checks out their Twitter accounts:

Graham Elliot Bowles (graham elliot): "Goose Island Brewery tour today with GE team."

Phillip Foss (Lockwood): "3rd year anniversary dinner @ Avenues last night ... food was brilliant. Curtis Duffy is one of the top chefs in Chicago!"

Koren Grieveson (avec): "Just had the most amazing brunch at the Publican! rocking grits!"

Stephanie Izard (The Drunken Goat): "Recovering from an awesome meal at Schwa last night. The arctic char roe was killer."

Stephanie Izard: "I just saw the best cocktail being shaken at bar de ville...Ramos Gin Fizz...they love workin their muscles for this one."

Carrie Nahabedian (naha): "Getting ready to cook at Justin Winery in Paso Robles, California this weekend."

Rick Tramonto: "I just had a brilliant meal by Chef Chris Pandel at the Bristol in Chicago. All must go and go again and again."