James Beard Nominations for OKC area

[Pete]

Like how restaurants display their awards/nominations that they won many years ago (that might or might not have any bearing on what their quality is like now).

Very much true.

Once a nominee or winner, always a nominee or winner.

[OkieBerto]

Go back and read what I wrote. If the process is slanted then it devalues the award. Nothing more, nothing less. Do you not care about a fair process? I would be more apt to give weight to the population voting than a nilly willy process.

You are basically saying no award process is fair. Everything from the Oscars to the Science Fair in Grade School. Even when you have the public weigh in they could be swayed by relationships, ads, close proximity, price of a meal, etc. There are always factors that will make or break who wins an award. It will never be fair.

The Gazette use to do a voting process for best of OKC. You would see the same bars and restaurants every year. People rarely try something new in mass. It is usually a small group of people who have the loudest voices that will bring to light a great and unique new location.

[TheHorseman]

You are basically saying no award process is fair. Everything from the Oscars to the Science Fair in Grade School. Even when you have the public weigh in they could be swayed by relationships, ads, close proximity, price of a meal, etc. There are always factors that will make or break who wins an award. It will never be fair.

No, no I'm not. Sheesh.

The Gazette use to do a voting process for best of OKC. You would see the same bars and restaurants every year. People rarely try something new in mass. It is usually a small group of people who have the loudest voices that will bring to light a great and unique new location.

Something better could be thought up? Biased local food critics who favor certain restaurants/owners sounds less fair to me.

[OkieBerto]

No, no I'm not. Sheesh.



Something better could be thought up? Biased local food critics who favor certain restaurants/owners sounds less fair to me.

All problems and no solutions. No answer to who you would like to see given recognition. I am done speaking with you on the matter, good luck with your PB&J.

[TheHorseman]

All problems and no solutions. No answer to who you would like to see given recognition. I am done speaking with you on the matter, good luck with your PB&J.

Actually I’m partial to the All American Burger and fries cause Brad will sell no fries before their time. Can’t go wrong there. ��. Good luck with Miss Cleo

[Pete]

Actually I’m partial to the All American Burger and fries cause Brad will sell no fries before their time. Can’t go wrong there. ��. Good luck with Miss Cleo

Alright Hamilton!

[TheHorseman]

Alright Hamilton!

Yeah ha ha ha!!

[OkieBerto]

I feel like the owner of Little Mike’s Hamburgers on Expressway just highjacked this thread!

[Pete]

Yeah ha ha ha!!

All American Burger was a real local chain in L.A. that is now gone, but I ate there several times. I'm sure I wasn't the only one drawn by Fast Times.

Also, when I first moved out west I made sure to visit the Sherman Oaks Galleria (the fictional Ridgemont Mall), as all the business -- the theater, stereo store, etc. -- were also real operations. I went to Perry's Pizza, ordered a slice, and asked if Stacy Hamilton was working. Went right over the head of the cashier, which was probably a good thing. The mall isn't really a mall anymore; they chopped it up and have some restaurants but it's mostly office space, so no way to relive the Fast Times experience in the present.

[TheHorseman]

All American Burger was a real local chain in L.A. that is now gone, but I ate there several times. I'm sure I wasn't the only one drawn by Fast Times.

Also, when I first moved out west I made sure to visit the Sherman Oaks Galleria (the fictional Ridgemont Mall), as all the business -- the theater, stereo store, etc. -- were also real operations. I went to Perry's Pizza, ordered a slice, and asked if Stacy Hamilton was working. Went right over the head of the cashier, which was probably a good thing. The mall isn't really a mall anymore; they chopped it up and have some restaurants but it's mostly office space, so no way to relive the Fast Times experience in the present.

Man I would have loved to do that, see that mall, ask if Stacy was working. Great story!

[citywokchinesefood]

I will make an uncharacteristic heel turn and redirect this thread back to the controversy surrounding James Beard nominations. Some people in this thread are too focused on the fact that local influencers can have an impact on the outcome of the voting. While this is true, the local area can only do so much to influence the overall outcome of the awards. Oklahoma is currently grouped with Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada for the South West region for James Beard. Local influencers can only do so much and you do have to honestly deliver an exceptional experience consistently. While I am not a huge fan of one of our winners, they earned it. My personal bias is not onjective fact.

Separate from that Nonesuch has been nominated for one of the most outstanding restaurants in the country. This is a big deal for the city. Fait Maison and Grey Sweater are certainly expensive and premium experiences. Nonesuch has consistently delivered a better value, guest service, and culinary experience than either of them to me over the last several years. It is exciting to see the trajectory Oklahoma City restaurants are on.

[OkieinGeorgia]

Man, it's so awesome to see what the food/restaurant scene in Oklahoma has become. My wife and I moved from OKC about 2 years ago to SE Georgia, and then about a month and a half ago we moved to Lakeland Florida which is almost exactly halfway between Orlando and Tampa. While my wife lived in OKC about 13 years she never really liked living in Oklahoma, until we moved to the Paseo/23rd area for the last two years we were there and it won her over. Since we've left she can't stop talking about how great the food scene in OKC has become and even talks about all the places she misses now. Whenever we visit she lines up a strict itinerary of all the places we have to go eat at while we are there, and the list is always way longer than the time we have to be there. Even now living 45 minutes from either Tampa or Orlando, which are both littered with Michelin starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants, we both talk often about how much we miss the restaurants in OKC.

Truly awesome to see it continue to grow and especially see guys like Kevin Lee on the Food Network always repping OKC and the scene. And, seeing these announcements just shows that it continues to grow and is truly in the elite category in my mind. Makes me so proud of my hometown.

[OkieBerto]

Anytime I go to a new city with a great culinary culture I try and look for the James Beard nominees. Especially the ones that are affordable and a cuisine I have not tried yet. I usually don’t look for the Michelin stars because it is usually out of my price range. I still love looking at what those places offer though and sometimes I am willing to fork over some money.

This is why it excites me so much to see people I know get nominated. People I have a ton of respect for get nominated here in OKC!

[Will Dearborn]

Congrats to Zack and the Sedalia's team...they punch way above their weight.

[Pete]

Congrats to Zack and the Sedalia's team...they punch way above their weight.

I keep waiting for a developer hungry for a good restaurant operator to give them a great deal and get them to move.

I know a big part of their charm is the intimate setting but it wouldn't surprise me if they were soon lured away.

[Will Dearborn]

That's interesting to think about...they've been able to turn some potential negatives (location, size) into opportunity...bet dependably filling up a small restaurant every night beats a half empty one too when trying to plan & budget.