James Beard Awards: Minnesota Represent!

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The James Beard Foundation–the reigning tastemaker for all things food– released its list of 2011 nominees today. Warmest congratulations to two Minnesota writers, Amy Thielen and Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl, who are both nominated for journalism awards.

Last spring I took a class on Asian BBQ at Cooks from Amy. She gave the business to several giant cuts of meat (most memorably a gorgeous slab of pork belly), braising, roasting and stir-frying like a madwoman, all the while coolly instructing us on her methods. Her class was peppered with stories, from cooking in New York restaurants to where to find the best kimchi in Saint Paul. I love her blog, Sourtooth, and not only because it taught me how to butcher a pig in my front yard.

And Dara! I fell in love with her food writing back when food blogs were just a sparkle in the eye of Internet Explorer. During college, I would make a ritual out of picking up the City Pages on Wednesdays and reading all the best parts at Coffee News Café. Okay, first I turned to Savage Love, I admit it, but next was Dara's restaurant review column, where I discovered what truly imaginative, evocative writing could be used to sum up a plate of food. She continues to be awesome at Minnesota Monthly and on-air at The Current.

Go Minnesota ladies, go!