Portland Chefs Shut Out at James Beard Awards

Last night, the James Beard Foundation announced the winners of the 2012 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards, the highest honor for food and beverage professionals. And while the odds were in favor of a Portlander once again taking home the Best Chef: Northwest award — with three of the five nominees from PDX — a Seattlelite instead took the crown. Nominees Chris Israel (Gruner), Naomi Pomeroy (Beast), and Cathy Whims (now a four-time nominee for her work at Nostrana) all lost out to Matt Dillon, of Seattle's Sitka & Spruce.

Portland did represent, however, at the after-event James Beard Gala, with chef Vitaly Paley serving Pacific NW catch in the form of an Oregon Dungeness crab reuben. And on the sartorial side, NYTimes food columnist Melissa Clark snapped this shot of Whims working an eggplant dress at the afterparty.

For the full list of last night's winners, head on over to Eater National.
· Winners: 2012 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards [-EN-]
· All Previous James Beard Awards Coverage [EPDX]