New York Savors Victory At 2009 James Beard Foundation Awards

[Martha Stewart. Photos by JIMI CELESTE for PMc] The culinary world's biggest and brightest talents celebrated this year's best restaurants, chefs, and food-related media at the 2009 James Beard Foundation Awards last night at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. The ceremony, hosted by Cat Cora, Emeril Lagasse, and Stanley Tucci, featured 38 categories, ranging from Outstanding Restaurant to Restaurant Reviews. More story and photos ... Post-ceremony festivities praised "Women in Food" and included a Gala Reception, led by Gala Chair and host of Lidia's Italy, Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, honoring the nation's top female food and beverage leaders. Attendees included: Richard Gere, Martha Stewart, Todd English, Tom Colicchio, Ted Allen, Lorraine Bracco, and others.

Here are a few highlights:

Outstanding Restaurateur: Drew Nieporent, Myriad Restaurant Group; New york, NY

Outstanding Chef: Dan Barber, Blue Hill; New York, NY

Outstanding Restaurant: Jean Georges, New York, NY; Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Owner: Phil Suarez

Rising Check of the Year: Nate Appleman, A16; San Francisco, CA

Best New Restaurant: Momofuku Ko, New York, NY; Chef/Owner: David Chang

Alain Ducasse, Emeril Lagasse, Susan Ungaro, Woody Campbell, Daniel Boulud

Cat Cora, Emeril Lagasse, Alden Lagasse

Jose Andres, ?, Drew Nieporent

Daniel Boulud, Ted Allen, Todd English

Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, Stanley Tucci, Nora Ephron

Eric Ripert, Susan Ungaro, ?, Woody Campbell

Carey Lowell, Richard Gere, Eileen Sailhac, Alain Saihac

Wylie Dufresne, David Chang, Tom Colicchio, Susan Magrino