 If there's one thing our friends at Food & Wine do even better than throwing fabulous festivals all around the country, developing stellar recipes and generally making our lives more appetizing - it's identifying up and coming talent from around the country. Since 1988, the editors of Food & Wine have feasted their way from coast to coast, seeking out 10 innovative chefs, each with a distinctive vision, creating exceptionally delicious food. They've bestowed upon these shining stars the title of Best New Chef. This year, the dining public has a say. We and the editors of Food & Wine would greatly prefer that you only vote for chefs whose restaurants you've actually visited, so the "chef" part of The People's Best New Chef 2011 really holds true. See more details at foodandwine.com and let the clicking commence! Midwest | Pacific | Southwest | Northwest | New England Southeast | New York Area | Great Lakes | Mid-Atlantic | Gulf Coast Lee Richardson Most unique hotel trait: Built in the 1800s, the hotel’s elevator was made large enough to carry both a man and his horse.
Carly Groben Why she's amazing: She’s translating Northern African and Mediterranean flavors for a Midwestern audience.
Mike Brown and James Winberg How they save on decorating costs: A pig skull leftover from headcheese is re-purposed as window decoration.
Landon Schoenefeld Nickname: Colonel Mustard” - Schoenefeld once sprayed mustard at a bartender who asked for a salad with dressing on the side.
Erik Anderson Favorite cooking tool: Spoons; he buys them on eBay or at antique stores. “I get really weird about my spoons. I have three spoons, and I tell people I usually like them more than most people I work with.”
Alex Pope Mixology program: Classic cocktails like the Moscow mule and a Prescription Julep - rye whiskey, cognac, mint and hand-crushed ice served in copper mug.
Anthony Devoti What it means to be a chef: "When we are creative, we can change our menu up, and if you don’t do that, you’re not being a proper chef. Opening a can, dumping it in a pan and calling yourself a chef is not how it works.”
Kevin Willmann Oddball ingredient: Duck giblets (Willmann serves them fried).
Josh Galliano Beverage program: Galliano makes his own root beer using sarsaparilla, ginger, anise, licorice root and cane syrup.
Tim Dahl Why he's amazing: Although he trained as a pastry chef, Dahl’s savory Italian-inflected dishes are spot-on. Midwest | Pacific | Southwest | Northwest | New England Southeast | New York Area | Great Lakes | Mid-Atlantic | Gulf Coast Voting starts on 2/15/11 and ends 3/1/11 at www.foodandwine.com/peoples-bnc. One vote per computer per region. Votes from any automated means or intended to disrupt the voting process (in American Express Publishing Corporation’s sole discretion) will be void. Chefs with the highest eligible votes per region will become finalists (10 total). The People's Best New Chef title will be determined based on highest number of eligible votes received during the voting period. All votes subject to verification. © 2011 American Express Publishing Corporation. All rights reserved. 
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Tim Dahl given the extremely competitive dining scene in Madison (ranks second in the nation with number of restaurants per capita in the US) a breath of fresh air. He brings simplicity, elegance and drive to a city that has long been a mecca for local, fresh cuisine. I am sure that all of the chefs listed are absolutely fabulous and I look forward to many road trips to sample their work in the future.
Anthony Devoti is defiantly to be watched. his intuition in pairing creative cuisine with wine has been a very exciting experience for friends, family and myself. Anthony is young, fresh and aware of the selections of food close at hand.
I apologize if I offended anyone. My point was that others are taking anonymous blog comments far too seriously.
if there's been cheating, let them cheat. if people want to recognize chefs for their outstanding efforts in their respective markets, let it happen. Food is the winner here and as a consumer of this delightful art I'm sure the chefs nominated don't want to read some of these despicable comments. All the chefs are winners for being nominated in the first place.
i don't want Food and Wine to think this was a bad idea after the comments left by a handful of over zealous voters. Once again Food and Wine, congratulations on reaching out
Its not fair.Its not fair.Its not fair. Waaahhh, my puzzy hurts.
Brown and Winberg's vote total should be divided by two, as they are two people each able to go out and gather votes. Its not fair.
I have plenty to do. Your mom, for example. Burn!
You do the mother and I'll greaze the old man up over here. Flames!
Without elaborating, I will tell you that this is the most hurtful thing you could have written. Unreal. Truly unreal. What people will write behind the anonymity of their computer screens is astonishing.
Wow. You're a little touchy Andrea. Perhaps you're taking this too seriously.
Also, I'm taking a poll.
Summer's Eve
Massengill
Equate Douche from Wal-Mart
Yeast Guard
Vote today!
Apparently Seegar Man has nothing better to do today, or actually any other day.
As I type, its almost 10:00 am Tuesday. Erik is at less than 30%. Will he auto-his way to the top today?
...looks like you won....you got your guy up to 38%...while trying to deflect attention away from the leader....
Lee took a leap of faith when he decided to leave New Orleans and move to state not known for its culinary prowess. What he has done since then is nothing short of a miracle. He has not only woken up a state to the produce they have in their own backyard, he has done it with class. Thank you for opening our eyes to a new experience of dining. i hope you get the recognition for all your hard work while continuing to tell the food story of Arkansas. I vote Lee.
Thanks Food and Wine for allowing Arkansas to show their appreciation for a job well done
Ashley's is the best place to have a great meal in Little Rock, by a long shot!
And, Lee, it's mostly because of you – you certainly have my vote.
Food & Wine states that: "All votes subject to verification." I see some people are buying into this nonsense. Food & Wine uses the free version of Polldaddy's software and simply does not have access to the data required to perform an audit. These polls are primarily a stomping ground for bored teenagers with too much free time on their hands. The winner is usually the first one to cheat. I'm sure all of these chefs are very talented, but don't take this poll seriously.
There is one caveat however, and that is if Food & Wine decides to upgrade to a professional account. In which case, the contestant with the most verifiable votes will win.
Since when is Arkansas in the Midwest? #fail http://www.delmar.edu/socsci/rlong/intro/usmap.htm
Does Arkansas even have internet access yet?
LEELEELEELEELEELEELEELEELEELEELEELEE!
How is Arkansas in the midwest?
Get over it. They put Lee Anderson in a Midwest category. What's done is done. He's a fine chef best of luck to him. If you have nothing good to say just bite your lip for just one more day. Then this will all be over.
Chef Lee is a southern hidden jewel (well not anymore). He is a great cook and a great person. The food is freshly prepared and very tasty. Buying local, Organic food is a big priority for him which shows in the taste of his food. Wish I could eat there every week. :)
Cheers Chef Lee and good luck in this contest. You very much deserve to win and thank you for your hard work.
Thank you to enough is enough and frances. I agree 100%. I was simply trying to document this in the event that CNN wasn't aware.
Stop with all of the accusations. If there is any fraud I'm sure none of these chefs would be part of it. It doesn't matter anyway. Read the note at the bottom of the page. All of the fake votes will be pulled. So whoever ends up winning this will have won fairly regardless of what the current standings are. Best of luck to all of the chefs. We should all be proud that we have such great talent to represent our beloved Midwest.
Cheers!
Could not agree more! If you have a positive comment to make about the chef you favor, do so.
If not, don't comment.
Wow! Perhaps Erik read my message from yesterday afternoon as I predicted he might. It's now 8:45 am eastern Monday as I leave this. For the first time in a week plus, he didn't run up his numbers massively overnight. Perhaps he knows he's been figured out.
If he was running up his numbers, why wouldn't he run them up and win? That's the stupidist thing I've heard of, if you are going to cheat, cheat to win...right? Anyway, the big market guys will win the entire thing anyway; Chicago, New York....
One more thing - I'm glad someone mentioned what a good guy Erik is. That may not have as much to do with his cooking as his creativity and commitment and competitiveness do, but I bet it has a lot to do with how he manages people, and while I could be wrong, I'm guessing that has a LOT to do with what comes out of his kitchen. And how many people support him in this poll.
Just occurred to me that, depending on how your browser is set up, or if you look at this page via a bookmark, you *might* be looking at a cached copy of the results that's just going to have the same numbers on it until it refreshes on whatever schedule.
What a bunch of spoilsports, here! ;-) What *would* you do with a quart of sour grapes? Do any of the people making accusations actually know what might move numbers? And how many votes it takes to move numbers? And what security is in place to prevent fraud? And whether the two leaders have access to some sort of inspired technological weapons the others are lacking? True, I'm biased. Erik has cooked for me at Sea Change. That said, it's pretty common practice for data to clear at specified times of day, times that might change and cause either or both parties to make enormous gains within seconds. Also, I'm not in the industry, but it seems really improbable that there are many thousands of people interested, experienced and rabid enough to be voting in this thing. Honestly I bet the numbers move with a handful of votes, and that the majority, or close to it, of votes, are from within the industry.
I'm not sure what either of these two sides are squawking about. I know Josh Galliano has a ton of support here and his numbers barely moved. But what I did notice was both front runners flying past their competition at a steady pass. No matter how much either of you so called supporters try to blame the other for cheating it is apparent to the rest of us that you both are. I do not blame the chef's for the acts of a few over zealous supporters. I highly doubt anyone would risk their reputation and career over an online poll. So to you losers who have been spending all their nights trying to rig an online poll, I say put down the mouse and go find girlfriends. You people don't realize you are potentially hurting the people you are trying to help. I just hope they pull all of the fraudulent votes before they declare a winner. My feeling it will be Josh.
just saw that Mary steenburgen and Ted danson are fightin' for lee Richardson! go hogs'
Seachange is the best seafood restaurant in MN and Erik is a pretty big part of that. Our seafood scene was pretty poor until he came into town. He's unassuming, kind of funny looking and a really nice guy. I remember hearing a customer ask him how long he'd been a sushi chef and he told them he wasn't a sushi chef, he just serves raw fish sometimes.
He's got respect for his trade and the ingredients he uses. Oh and he's a huge Uriah Heep fan, so that's win win in my book and anyone who has a problem with the Heep... Please insult my intelligence, it like an e-hug
ATTN GAIL SIMMONS AND FOOD AND WINE!!!!
Please take note of Seegar's post above!!!!
Massive local interest here in the Land of Opportunity. Go Lee!
Note: It is currently 4:43 pm eastern time. Since this morning, Erik Anderson has had almost no movement of any kind. Erik is currently at about 31%. If tonight is anything like the last few nights, despite zero movement all day, he'll move significantly in the middle of the night, a la some auto-vote machine or other disruptive method. I'll check in again in the morning, and again tomorrow night. Same for Tuesday. Make no bones about it, he'll log massive votes in short spans before this thing ends. Perhaps he'll skip tonight after reading this, but the chunk will come, seemingly all at once. Customer/chef interest is not a spigot, it doesn't just go on and off as his appears to unless its coming from an inauthentic source. If you think someone would move in 1000+ vote chunks overnight and have zero movement during the day, then I have a bridge to sell you.
I have also notice that when one of these two chefs votes stop so does the other. When one starts up so does the other. Seems both haven't moved for a while. Star trek must be on.
Just saw that Kris Allen has asked his 250,000 twitter followers to come here to vote for Mr. Richardson. Also have seen ads and radio and tv asking people to vote. This explains the spike. Go Arkansas! Go Lee!
The animosity towards Erik Anderson is absolutely ludicrous. He is a brilliant chef and passionate about his work. The reason he is doing so well is because 1) people love his food and 2) Minnesotans are proud to home a chef of his quality. Sea Change is a true gem in the midwest. Erik got my vote.
Checked this last night before bed. Checking it now. Eric moved like 3 points. I'm betting that represents over 1000 votes in a few hours overnight? Seems suspicious.
admittedly, I don't know these other chefs but Erik Anderson equals absolute passion for cooking. Later life career shift was the best thing he's ever done. I can guarantee votes for him are not the result of campaigns but rather respect and reverence. The man is just that good.
Kris Allen has 250,000 twitter followers. That's probably what's up. Also, you're probably some loser adult Twilight fan from Minnesota, but that's neither her nor there.
sir, I was not calling names and I am not an adult loser twilight fan from minnesota. I am an elderly lady from the deep south who was wondering about voting percentages and the way they were so blatantly lopsided. Good night, sir.
Bet you a dime you're not a southerner. Bet you another dime you own a set of snow chains for your tires. nice try
I watched the movement in percentages several times today and had friends voting at the same time. the ark. guy steadily rose while 2nd and 3rd place guys steadily went down and the votes were for #2 and #3. Go figure...what's up?
Arkansas!!! Kris Allen tweeted for Chef Lee!
Something here is bunk. Almost nothing on Twitter or Facebook for Erik yet he's had a quick spike today. You're living dangerously, spoonman, this is a good way to get DQed.
Did you mean to say Lee Richardson had a huge spike? That's what I saw today. Also, Erik is on Facebook with 1000 friends, Sea Change has 800, Guthrie Theater has 27,000 and Erik is also on twitter. Is Richardson even on Facebook? All I can see is the support he's getting from a local towing company on Facebook and one link on a local Arkansas website.
Oh, I almost forgot. Le Cordon Bleu is promoting Erik as well.
Melissa-
What you're saying simply doesn't make sense. Look at the results for Erik's name in a Twitter search vs anyone else in this contest. There is no evidence of a grassroots campaign or widespread support. Previous commenters have made the same sort of statement regarding something as simple as comments. What, is everyone else all wrong? Is is a giant anti Erik conspiracy? There is, however, evidence that Minnesota Fats or a fan has hacked this system. No probelms, though. Food and Wine says they'll throw out the automated votes. Then Carly will go back up as will every one else in this. Cheaters never win.
And since you "one more thinged" on Bleu, I will too Sweet Sweet Melissa. Cordon Bleu didn't even spell his name right.
Its an obscure press release, not exactly the sort of thing that would drive the 1000s of votes he's "seemingly" geenrated.
Doomsday Machine? Nice name. You don't sound like a foodie, you sound like a computer hacker.
VOTE FOR Chef LEE!!!
Chef Devoti at Five Bistro is a marvel. Good food, great wine and especially wonderful service. Don't know how he hires his servers, but they are the best in town, serving the best food in town.
Lee Richardson and Ashley's is a good as it gets from New York to California and everything in between.
OMG that sounded too much like the last one!! I didn't even read it till now. Erik and I go way back and he used to cook for me when we were kids. So, I know all about his natural talents from a young age. His father and mother carried the same talents and he inherited them. I guess, like good wine, it gets better with age. GO ERIK!!
I'm voting for Erik Anderson. Great guy, great chef!!
I wasn't aware that it was a necessity to comment along with placing your vote. I voted for Erik Anderson. Amazing chef. Amazing guy.
I just saw this posted on the Guthrie's page, so awesome! I love Sea Change! Good luck Erik!
I saw this on the guthrie page too. It's cool to see a MN chef in the lead. I will definitely have to stop in and check out sea change and eric
FYI; if you're not voting for Erik Anderson, you're wrong. I'm just saying. http://foodstoned.com
Maiden name Cindy Platt. Leo most definitley and deliciously gets my vote!!!
Lee Richardson is simply amazing no matter what region. Every dish he makes is absolutely delicious and I crave his meals! He is a delightful person both in and out of the kitchen and works very hard. A great chef to work with and very knowledgeable about all things food. Good luck Lee! You've got my vote any day!!
Lee Richardson can, should, must, and will win this.
VOTE FORE JOSH GALLIANO!! BEST CHEF IN THE NATION....
VOTE FOR CHEF LEE RICHARDSON!!!
Breakfast, lunch or dinner.....Lee Richards makes them all a fabulous dining experience!!!!
Tony not only is a great chef but "Five" has one of the best wine lists around St. Louis.
Vote for Tony!!!!!
Great chef!! Sure hope he wins...
...if I'm not mistaking...Erik Anderson is also the only Chef in the midwest competion that is a semi-fianlst for the James Beard Award, Best Chef Midwest....that might have soemthing to do with an increase in votes....
You are mistaken. Lee Richardson is also a Beard semi-finalist. This is something like his 4th.
I'm not mistaking...he IS the only one in the midwest that was nominated!
You are mistaken. Both Kevin Willmann and Erik Anderson are semifinalists for the James Beard Best Chef Midwest.
Lee Richardson is also a semifinalst, but in the James Beard nominations his is for Best Chef South.
What does the number of comments have to do with the number of votes? My husband works for Erik and we have been posting a link on facebook telling people to vote for him. Maybe he gets a lot of votes at night because many of his friends that are voting for him are fellow chefs and work late. My husband isn't usually on the computer much until he gets home at 11:00 pm or later. I didn't even think about commenting until I saw all the whining. People need to calm down and stop being so paranoid.
Wow. Let go of your paranoia. Maybe Erik's fans are more interested in casting votes and drumming up support in other ways.
Anthony's FIVE is a "10' when it comes to a great restaurant.
I personally watched one man in this poll move 5+ points in just a few hours. I have a friend in this contest and am following the results with great interest. I even have this page bookmarked on my phone. I watched this man move from about 1:00 am until 7:00 am up like 6 or 7 points. And, as the previous post said, it defies logic that you'd have thousands of votes and not even one comment.
This is directed to the comment poster above named "Of Note." Its very rude to type in all caps. Its considered shouting in blogger etiquette.
That being said, I agree with you that there something funky is going on with Erik Anderson. No comments and tons of votes, usually coming in big blocks at night? Sketchy Erik, sketchy.
Yeah–very strange, I mean, who is up in the middle of the night? Oh yeah, real cooks, who know good cooks.
I just love the Capital Hotel. I have to eat there at least once a week. Chef Lee Richardson is AWESOME!! I just love his food–both gourmet and downhome at the same time. A perfect mix.
HAS ANYONE ELSE NOTICED THAT ERIK ANDERSON HAS ZERO COMMENTORS AND YET A LOT OF VOTES? ALSO SAW THAT HE GAINED LIKE 5% OVERNIGHT, AND THAT SEEMS FISHY. TAKE CARLY FOR EXAMPLE, 5 COMMENTS AND 7%. ALEX POPE HAS 8 COMMENTS AND ABOUT 6%. FINAL THOUGHT. ERIK ANDERSON AND LEE RICHARDSON ARE BASICALLY TIED. LEE HAS 18 COMMENTORS HERE. ERIK HAS ZERO. SOME FUNNY BUSINESS GOING ON WITH HIS VOTES.
Just deleted my original response to "of note." Taking the highroad and deciding to go with... Erik is a brilliant chef. "Of note" please note.
Well Erik Anderson has a big family , that loves his cooking admires his determination to be the best, his MOM( now with the LORD ALWAYS ) instilled that in him and told him," never give up because i believe in you son,"and to see him do what he loves and is happy,watch out compition!
Thank you for being a GREAT CHEF.....
Andrew Devoti was really avant garde dishing out delicious 'slow food' here in St. Louis years ago.
It's delicious/nutrious etc. . .
Thanks for Representing THE "NATURAL" STATE!!!! NATURALLY THE BEST!!!!
CHEF LEE THAT IS!!!!!!!
Vote for Alex Pope of R Bar in Kansas City – his gifts are heavenly!
Vote for Alex Pope of R Bar in Kansas City!!
Lee Richardson. 'Nuff said.
Since when is AR in the Midwest? And, isn't it "The People's Best New Chef" not "Chefs?" Travail should be disqualified unless Mike and James are conjoined twins. Then, I think the PC thing to do would be to let them count as one. And, are you telling me there are no stellar chefs in Chicago? The only thing this poll illustrates is that MN and MO rule the Midwest as far as chefs/restaurants. How are you going to expect a city to choose between 3 or 4 chefs that they love? Of course everyone south of the Mason Dixon would vote for a chef in AR.
I would definitely have to say ANTHONY DEVOTI. Amazing chef! If you haven't eaten at Five yet, I highly recommend it.
Alex Pope is a genius with food! His food is THE most amazing I have ever tasted!!
R Bar & Restaurant, hands down!
You need to try breakfast at Ashley's, too: http://www.tiedyetravels.com/2010/12/breakfast-elsewhere.html
Apologies... that link should be: http://www.tiedyetravels.com/2010/12/ashleys-in-morning.html
My husband and I are always intrigued by the culinary imagination of Lee Richardson at Ashley's!! We actually anticipate our trips to Little Rock just so we can dine with this absolute master. What an honor to have him at the Capitol Hotel; they are both treasures of the South.
Lee Richardson!
Five Bistro is my favorite restaurant in St. Louis and Chef Devoti has one of the most creative menu's I have ever witnessed. Everything is remarkably paired and the ingredients impeccably chosen. Good luck in this competition. You have all my respect (along with my vote)!
Josh Galliano knows how to bring out the best flavor in every dish he makes by using local farmers fresh products and herbs. His presentation of each dish makes your mouth water before you take your first bite. Because of his exquisite style the Monarch restaurant is voted the best in fine dining restaurant in St. Louis ! Please VOTE for Josh Galliano as the best chef in the Mid-West!
I am also extremely proud to vote for Lee Richardson! Dining at Ashley's is absolutely a wonderful experience. Thank you Lee. You're the best!
Josh Galliano is committed to using the products from the region by buying from local farmers in and around the St. Louis area. The freshness and finess he provides is an experience uncommon when dining elsewhere. He is a true talent and the best chef in the Midwest!
I am so very proud to vote for Lee Richardson! He is an absolutely amazing chef! His gifts certainly tantilize the palate! Good luck Lee!!! I know the Arkansans are pulling for you!
It seems a little unfair that there are more chefs on here from St. Louis than any other one place except for Minneapolis (Im unsure how close Robbinsdale is), which could divide the citys' fan base among the two or three different contestants. If you add those cities votes together you get a much closer race against Lee Richardson, who has no local chef to compete against him.
umm.... Central Arkansas has a population of around 500k, Greater St Louis... 2.8 million. I think you all can handle it.
Carly Groben FTW!!!
:)
Alex Pope got my vote–my last dining experience was fantastic!
I am proud to cast my ballot for my friend Lee Richardson, and I echo the sentiments of Fred Poe regarding the interesting experience that is dining at Ashley's. Best of luck, Lee.
Lee Richardson just may be the south's finest gift to the culinary world! Here in Little Rock Arkansas, we are blessed with his incredible talent at Ashley's restaurant. Oh, and he is the real deal in the kitchen and out of the kitchen, mindful of fresh and local offerings from our farmers. Good luck Lee!
Lee Richardson
Ashley’s at the Capital Hotel – Little Rock, AR
Always a lovely dining experience . . . friendly. . . professional . . . superb tastes and presentation.
Always a lovely dining experience . . . friendly. . . professional . . . superb tastes and presentation.
What food!!
I never knew how good food could taste until I had one of Josh Galliano's meals.
Alex pope is an amazingly innovative chef. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to enjoy many of his meals. He's passionate about his food and work. Pope cooks with love and I think its delicious! VOTE ALEX POPE R BAR KC
From some of the finest restaurants in Chicago to owning his own restaurant – Nostrano – in Madison, WI ... For us there is only one best new chef in the midwest – that is TIM DAHL.
Great food! Lee, you have my vote. You are the best!
I was fortunate enough to be able to taste Lee Richardson's cooking a while ago. He most certainly deserves to be on this list, and I'm happy to have the opportunity to vote for him.
Hope you win, Lee!
My wife's duffel bag told me that Landon Schoenefeld makes a dish called Hot Dog Down a Hallway that is amazing!
Mike Brown and James Wingard at Travail Kitchen and Amusements in Robbinsdale, MN have made a wonderful place and the food is out of this world! The ten course sample of the menu is the best deal and you will be in heaven after eating there.
Spoonman, the greatest!!
Lee Richardson at Ashley's has elegantly established the balance between creative culinary experiences and a visual presentation certain to pleasure any and all of his customers. It is my favorite restaurant and could be positioned anywhere in the US as highly memorable and one to be definitely repeated again and again!!
I so agree with Linus. I have been fortunate enouth to travel to (count them-the number keeps changing) 168 countries and feel that Ashley's at Little Rock's lovely small Capital Hotel may have the most interesting hotel restaurant in the world. I notice that more and more travelers are making a pilgrimage here....to dine! Chef Richardson is gifted, imaginative and great fun. His foie gras preparations are especially astonishing.
Lee Richardson at Ashley's is an EXCELLENT chef!!! Been there many times and the food is consistently fantastic.
I vote LEE.......
Kevin Willmann is a GREAT chef! My husband and I love his food and bring everyone we know to enjoy Kevin's cuisine also!
Someone from a drug band message board told me to vote for Landon Schoenfield since he's a Phish fan, so I did.
Bid you to have any tater tot hotdish?
I have heard good things about LInda Ray's uncousin, Eric Anderson...so he has my vote...!
I wish you all could dine at Proof here in Central Iowa. Carly Groben is a breath of fresh air here. Her food is all fabulous!
Love the way Lee uses fresh, wonderful, local foods from local growers with his southern charmed, yet sophisticated cuisine. Wholesome, delicious, uniiquely Lee.
Josh Galliano makes the best root beer on the Planet and is clearly the only choice for the best new chef of the Century!!!!!!!!!
I definetly vote for Josh Galliano. He is an amazing Chef using Homegrown Foods.. He puts his heart and sou into Cooking. Josh has so many talents when it comes to preparing and cooking Food!! He know everything about the ingredients and..What goes best with whatever he maybe preparing.. Good Luck Galliano...
If I were rich, I'd dine with Lee Richardson twice a day. He brings out the best in every ingredient. His food tastes fresh and flavorful. The presentation is like art.
Lee Richardson at Ashley's makes dining out an adventure with creative dishes developed with a sure hand!
I highly recommend Alex Pope, an excellent, down-to-earth chef!
Love Lee Richardson, but CNN needs to learn that Little Rock, AR is not in the Midwest!!
I AGREE!
AGREED! We always get put in the Midwest...we clearly in the SOUTH...
I'm extremely glad that has been put out here – I find it extremely annoying when Arkansas is not put w/ the rest of the Southeast, it's not just our culture, history, and geographical features that make us more identifiably Southern than Midwestern, but our flagship university is in the Southeastern Conference for sports – crazy. NOTHING AGAINST THE MIDWEST!
I've tried all three St. Louis chef's amazing talents. Hard to choose here.
We have loved KEVIN WILLMANN and his food when he was with ERATO ON MAIN in Edwardsville. Looking forward to trying his most recent efforts in St. Louis.
No women nominated???? Sexism as usual.
Read again, TribecaGal. Carly Groben.
Exactly! Thanks DSMDude.
FFS!
Carly from Proof.....check her out and blue for her. She is an amazing chef!
We should vote for her simply because she's a girl...
Joe, vote gender if you wish - but Proof's chef makes great food with extraordinary flavors and fabulous presentation. Carly deserves the vote!
There is a woman up there. You might want to read the list before you start crying out fowl play.
And who cares? A good cook with a fancy name – nothing more.
Vote for Alex Pope of R Bar in Kansas City. He and his food are PHENOMENAL!!!!!
Alex is a great chef, and a hard worker!
Vote for Alex Pope!!! Incredible!! His menu is seasonal, and always fantastic!!!!