Portland: It's Where to Eat and Cook

Husband and wife team Adam and Jackie Sappington have built a loyal following since opening their Southeast Portland restaurant, The Country Cat in 2007.

Since then, that following has spread around the country as they have made television appearance and garnered awards.

Last year, they published their first cookbook, Heartland: Heritage recipes from Portland's The Country Cat.

On Tuesday, the prestigious James Beard Foundation named it one of three finalists for the American Cook Book of the Year.

That award will be announced April 26 in New York..

The Sappingtons are not alone in being named finalists this year.

Clyde Common is a finalist for Outstanding Bar Program and Justin Woodward of Castagna will compete against Greg Denton and Gabrielle Quinoz Denton of Ox for best Chef: Northwest.

Those awards will be handed out May 2 in Chicago.

The awards are named for James Beard, a Portland native and well-known chef and author who Julia Child called "the quintessential American cook."