The Chef
This skillful young chef has already scored two stars from the New York Times and currently helms one of the city's most promising new restaurants.
When a New York chef predicts Best New York Chef, it's often a tough call. Our Chef has it between Wylie Dufresne and Michael Anthony but adds, "I'd go with Wylie because I just root for him. He's a really talented chef that sometimes gets overlooked. But Michael Anthony is probably going to win."
For Best Restaurateur, The Chef picks Nieporent to beat out McNally for the win: "It would be between McNally and Drew, seeing as they both made comebacks this year. The awards are so political sometimes. Drew will probably win. As far as oversights go, Danny Meyer does a great job. He's changed the face of dining in restaurants over the past five years with The Modern."
In the Outstanding Chef category, this NYC chef has a favorite in Chicago: "Hands down, I'm going with Paul Kahan. I've looked up to him for a long time. I've been going to Blackbird for 10 years, and it's always amazing. I mean, he still butchers at his restaurant—you've got to admire that."
For Best Restaurant, our Chef also predicts that a non-NYC nominee to take it: "I think Boulevard is going to take it. SF was in a slump. However, I think it's pretty hard to beat the organization that Jean Georges has. I'd also like to see Daniel in this category, as well as Le Bernardin and Blue Hill, but definitely not Bouley. Gramercy Tavern needs a few more years under Michael Anthony."
"I think Ko will win, but I think Corton deserves it more," predicts The Chef about the Best New Restaurant category. "I've eaten at both. Paul is probably the most talented chef in the country. Ko doesn't have as much polish as Corton. As for L20, I have not eaten there, but I have mad respect for Laurent Gras, but it will be tough to beat the David Chang media frenzy."
And Daniel is 3-for-3 in the Service category predictions: "I've always felt that Daniel's service is incredible. It's one of those things. I spent time at Jean Georges. I think of those top-tier restaurants, Daniel is just the best."
For Best Pastry Chef, our chef predicts non-New Yorker Nicole Plue to take it: "That's a tough one. From what I've heard, Nicole is a very, very talented chef. She hasn't gotten the recognition she deserves."
