Hominy chef nabs major nod

NEW YORK - Hominy Grill, the popular Rutledge Avenue restaurant known for its seasonal, fresh, simple and delicious Lowcounty offerings, earned one of the food industry's highest accolades Sunday night.

Chef and owner Robert Stehling was named a James Beard Foundation award winner, taking the honor for best chef in the Southeast, representing the Carolinas, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia.

'It's a fantasy come true,' Stehling said.

The ceremony annually pays tribute to this country's top cooks and restaurateurs. Chef and television personality Bobby Flay and 'Sex and the City' actress Kim Cattrall co-hosted this year's event, adding star wattage to the affair, held at the city's Lincoln Center.

All in all, it was a night of celebration for Charleston and South Carolina.

FIG's Mike Lata and McCrady's Sean Brock also were nominated for awards, Lata for best chef in the Southeast and Brock for rising star chef of the year, a category for ages 30 or younger.

In their minds, those nominations and Stehling's win have furthered Charleston's reputation as a culinary destination.

'In the Lowcountry, we're in it together,' Stehling said. 'It helps Charleston promote itself as a food city.'

Also competing in the Southeast best chef category were Hugh Acheson of Five and Ten in Athens, Ga.; Arnaud Berthelier of The Dining Room, The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead in Atlanta; and Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene, also in Atlanta.

Gavin Kaysen of Cafe Boulud in New York won the rising star chef award. Nate Appelman of A 16 in San Francisco; Johnny Monis of Komi in Washington; Matt Molina of Osteria Mozza in Los Angeles; and Gabriel Rucker of Le Pigeon in Portland, Ore., also were nominated.

Stehling's win gives South Carolina its first Beard chef award win since 2004, when Louis Osteen won for his Louis's on Pawleys Island. In 2006, Bowens Island Restaurant was named an American Classic in recognition of its status as a national landmark. Owner Robert Barber strode to the stage in oyster boots to accept his award.

No such luck with Stehling, who wore a traditional tuxedo, and gave credit to his family and staff.

Grant Achatz of Alinea in Chicago won outstanding chef and Gramercy Tavern in New York won outstanding restaurant.

Reach Rob Young at 937-5518 or ryoung@postandcourier.com.