Gabriel Rucker Wins Beard's Rising Star Chef of the Year 2011

Fourth time's the charm. Marking the first time a chef from Oregon brings home the James Beard Rising Star Award, Le Pigeon's Gabriel Rucker has been named JBA's Rising Star of 2011, in his fourth nomination. In a short-but-sweet speech, Rucker thanked, among others, his parents "for not pushing [him] into college." The awards are being announced in New York City like literally as we speak. Breaking...

UPDATE, per the Twitterverse: A Rising Star Dealfeed courtesy of Le Pigeon: "In honor of Gabriel's win tonight; We are giving everyone hors d'oeuvre from the James Beard recipe book! Congrats Gabriel!"

· All Previous Gabriel Rucker Coverage [Eater PDX]

Image of Rucker (left) and Erik Van Kley at the 2010 James Beard Awards