WASHINGTON 鈥� A handful of local chefs and restaurateurs received a coveted James Beard Award at a ceremony Monday night in Chicago.
The award, which bears the name of a famous American cookbook author and teacher, 聽is often likened to an Oscar of the food industry.
Mark Furstenberg of D.C.鈥檚 took home the award for Outstanding Baker, and Sam Calagione of Milton, Delaware鈥檚 won Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional.
Stephen Starr, a Philadelphia-based restaurateur who runs the popular D.C. restaurant , won for Outstanding Restaurateur, and in Essex, Maryland, was named a 鈥�2017 James Beard Foundation America鈥檚 Classics.鈥�
Nora Pouillon, of D.C.鈥檚 , received the 2017 James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. Pouillon opened the country鈥檚 first certified organic restaurant on a quiet street in Dupont Circle nearly 40 years ago.
In October, 2016, she and sell her restaurant.
Best New Restaurant was awarded to Le Coucou in New York; Michael Solomonov of Philadelphia’s Zahav won Outstanding Chef.
