2017 James Beard Awards: DC Restaurants Named as Finalists

WASHINGTON, DC — The James Beard Foundation has announced its 2017 finalists, and several D.C. chefs could nab some coveted awards.

Pineapple and Pearls has been nominated for Best New Restaurant, contributing to the growing reputation of the Barracks Row neighborhood in D.C., which is also home to the widely acclaimed Rose's Luxury. Pineapple and Pearls is one of five nominees in the category, competing against two restaurants in San Francisco and two in New York City.

Up in the Van Ness neighborhood, Bread Furst has earned a nomination for Outstanding Baker. Bread Furst will be competing against bakeries in Portland, New York City, Chicago and San Francisco.

D.C. restaurants scored a couple of nods in the "Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic" category, which includes the District along with Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Tom Cunanan of the popular new eatery Bad Saint is one of the nominees, and Amy Brandwein of Centrolina is the other. They will compete against chefs from Philadelphia and Baltimore for the award.

And finally, the James Beard Foundation is honoring Nora Pouillon of Restaurant Nora with their 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award. Pouillon recently announced she would be retiring and selling the prominent D.C. restaurant, which has hosted the likes of Barack and Michelle Obama.

You can see the full nominee list here. The winners will be announced on May 1.

Image via James Beard Awards