Araxi: Seasonal Recipes from the Celebrated Whistler Restaurant receives prestigious James Beard Award nomination

The warm afterglow of the Winter Olympics was further brightened when Araxi: Seasonal Recipes from the Celebrated Whistler Restaurant recently gained two international cookbook awards and high praise from chefs Gordon Ramsay and Heston Blumenthal.

Yesterday, things went truly stellar, with the nomination of Araxi for a James Beard Foundation Award.

Araxi by James Walt was nominated for the ‘Cooking from a Professional Point of View’ category, along with Momofuku by David Chang and Peter Meehan and The Fundamental Techniques of Classic Pastry Arts by The French Culinary Institute with Judith Choate.

“I’m absolutely delighted for our entire culinary team at Araxi, along with John Sherlock, Jim Tobler, and our publisher, Douglas & McIntyre, all of whom dedicated a great deal of time and expertise to this important project,” said Jack Evrensel, proprietor of Top Table Group.

One of only two Canadian nominations, this recognition continues Chef Walt’s ties with the James Beard Foundation, having performed three times at James Beard House (in 1998, 2002, and 2006) in New York City’s Greenwich Village.

“I’m proud to receive this nomination,” said Chef Walt. “It’s a pleasure to be recognized amongst those I admire and I wish David Chang, Peter Meehan, Judith Choate, and all of the other nominees the very best.”

The winners will be announced in New York City on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at an invitation-only event honouring the nation’s top cookbooks, food journalists and culinary broadcast programs.

---

About the James Beard Foundation Awards Established in 1990, the annual James Beard Foundation Awards honour the best and the brightest talents in the food and beverage industries and continue to emphasize the Foundation’s mission: to celebrate, preserve, and nurture America’s culinary heritage and diversity. For more information and a complete list of 2010 nominees, visit www.JBFAwards.com.

About Araxi A culinary cornerstone in the heart of Whistler Village, Araxi holds an international reputation for excellence in food, wine and hospitality. Chef James Walt’s regional menu showcases the finest locally-sourced ingredients from nearby Pemberton Valley Farms, and offers the freshest seafoods from the Pacific Ocean. 4222 Village Square, Whistler. 604.932.4540 www.araxi.com