The 2019 James Beard Awards are right around the corner – and yesterday, two Charleston spots were named as finalists. FIG is up for outstanding restaurant; and High Wire Distilling Co.’s Ann Marshall + Scott Blackwell are up for Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Producer.
For those who aren’t familiar with the James Beard Awards – it’s essentially the food + bev industry’s equivalent of the Oscars. In other words, this is a pretty big deal.
FIG is already a James Beard veteran, having previously taken home awards in 2018, 2015, + 2009. For the 2019 title of Outstanding Restaurant, FIG is up against Balthazar in NYC; Jaleo in Washington, D.C.; Quince in San Francisco; + Zahav in Philadelphia.
Vying alongside High Wire Distilling Co.’s Ann Marshall + Scott Blackwell for the Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Producer award is Cathy Corison of Corison Winery in St. Helena, C.A.; Steve Matthiasson of Matthiasson Wines in Napa, C.A.; Tob Tod of Allagash Brewing Company in Portland, M.E.; and Lance Winters of St. George Spirits in Alameda, C.A. This is the third year in a row that Blackwell + Marshall have been named semifinalists in this category + their first year as finalists. If victorious, this will be High Wire’s first James Beard Award.
The two are the only two finalists from South Carolina. Even more, they are each the sole representations of the Southeast in their respective categories.
The winners will be announced at the James Beard Awards Gala on Monday, May 6 in Chicago. You can find the full list of this year’s finalists here.
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