Twin Cities chefs snag James Beard award nominations

Michelle Gayer
Michelle Gayer is the owner of The Salty Tart.
Brandt Williams | MPR News 2010

One restaurant and three chefs in the Twin Cities are nominees for James Beard Awards. The list unveiled Tuesday also includes a nominee for best restaurant design.

The awards are among the most prestigious in the food world. They recognize the best in food — from restaurants to cookbooks to writing and programming — across North America.

Here are Minnesota's nominees for restaurant and chef awards, by category. Winners will be announced May 4 in Chicago.

Lenny Russo cooks
Lenny Russo
Brandt Williams | MPR News 2008

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Best New Restaurant

• Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis

Best Chef: Midwest

• Paul Berglund, The Bachelor Farmer, Minneapolis
• Michelle Gayer, Salty Tart, Minneapolis
• Lenny Russo, Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market, St. Paul