The James Beard Foundation Awards had a year of women last night, with prizes going to celebrated woman chefs such as April Bloomfield (New York's the Spotted Pig and the Breslin), Nancy Silverton (Pizzeria Mozza and a long history as a leading figure in bread baking), and Barbara Lynch (half a dozen restaurants in Boston)—but the Chicago portion of the awards didn't have anything to do with that. Dave Beran, chef de cuisine at Next, finally nabbed Best Chef, Great Lakes in his third nomination in three years (for the same award last year and for Rising Star Chef the year before).…
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