The St. Louis restaurant community erupted Monday night when it received two prestigious honors from the James Beard Foundation at its annual awards gala – essentially the Academy Awards of the American restaurant industry. Sidney Street Cafe chef-owner Kevin Nashan was named Best Chef: Midwest, and the foundation declared Gioia’s Deli an America’s Classic. Here’s how some hometown chefs and restaurant personalities reacted to the news.
@beardfoundation @knashan @sidneystcafe @knashan #stlrepresent!!!!!
— Michael/Tara Gallina (@roosterhenfood) May 2, 2017
It was never a question of if, only a question of when. Congratulations Chef @knashan and @sidneystcafe ! #jbfa #bestchef pic.twitter.com/oWykqNXN7U — Guerrilla Streetfood (@guerrillastreet) May 2, 2017
Kevin Nashan. #fuck yes #jbfa2017 — Cary McDowell (@carymcd) May 2, 2017
What a great honor Congrats buddy @knashan https://t.co/dBY678ELI9 — Andy Karandzieff (@kzieff) May 2, 2017
@GioiasDeli Had Hot Salami sandwiches with with @PhoKingQui and @davidchoiSTL today. We agree… #AmericanTreasure pic.twitter.com/bOQQvgh3kS — Mike Emerson (@Pigpicker) May 1, 2017
Cheers to chef Kevin Nashan and the amazing team for winning Best Chef Midwest! @knashan @beardfoundation A post shared by 4 Hands Brewing Co. (@4handsbrewingco) on May 1, 2017 at 7:51pm PDT
Congrats @GioiasDeli!!!! https://t.co/Vdk1sTFwKe — Gerard Craft (@GerardFCraft) May 2, 2017
Well deserved win by @knashan ! Congrats! #jbfa2017 — Chef Rob Connoley (@ChefRobConnoley) May 2, 2017
BOOM! @beardfoundation @knashan @sidneystcafe couldn’t be prouder of you! Congrats!! A post shared by Chris & Abbie Bolyard (@bolyardsmeat) on May 1, 2017 at 5:56pm PDT
HUGE congratulations to our friend @knashan! You are an amazing chef and ambassador for St. Louis — PÚBLICOstl (@Publicostl) May 2, 2017
FUCK YEA BUDDY! @knashan takes it home for STL! Party going on @tastebarstl #JBFA pic.twitter.com/NvyHZevfpn — Niche Food Group (@nichefoodgroup) May 2, 2017
Kevin Nashan wins BEST CHEF! Way to go brother! Congrats, Mina, Chris and the whole @sidneystcafe & @PeacemakerSTL team! You make STL proud! — ?? (@pistl) May 2, 2017
All of us at Reeds American Table would like to congratulate Kevin Nashan on his James Beard win! Way to go, Chef! #reedsstl A post shared by Reeds American Table (@reeds_stl) on May 2, 2017 at 10:35am PDT
#flyovercitymyass #jbfa STL has known & loved the talented badass that is @knashan … happy to see him getting the recognition he deserves! — Angela Ortmann (@STLwinegirl) May 2, 2017
Yay!!!! We you @knashan!! congratulations!!! https://t.co/p5akFqfu9K — Stanley and Arlene (@RobustWineBar) May 2, 2017
KEVIN!!!!! — Suzie Craft (@shcraft) May 2, 2017
@knashan Thank u 4 representing us so well! Congrats to u, ur family, & entire @sidneystcafe team. @beardfoundation #BestChef #Midwest 2017 pic.twitter.com/61oSvRG1Gk — Thuy Nguyen (@FlowerTea75) May 2, 2017
Great day for the awesome #stl food community today #jbfa2017! Congrats to @GioiasDeli and @knashan @sidneystcafe @PeacemakerSTL! — Qui Tran (@PhoKingQui) May 2, 2017
Best describes my feelings for @sidneystcafe and @farmhausstl today. Luv you guys! #StlProud pic.twitter.com/4MNIWzD66c — Mike Emerson (@Pigpicker) May 1, 2017
Congratulations, @knashan! Well deserved, Chef! — Jonathan Moxey (@jonathanmoxey) May 2, 2017
This article appears in May 2017.