Sure, Phoenix is far from being a favorite city of the JB foundation, but that doesn't mean we don't daydream about what it would be like to experience the biggest event in the culinary world.
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Aside from the fact that it would mean hobnobbing with the biggest and brightest stars of the culinary elite, this year's awards on May 6 will be hosted by Stanley Tucci -- as in the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor, writer, film producer, and director known for his roles in Julie & Julia, The Devil Wears Prada, and, recently, The Hunger Games.
It might be a long shot, but Acqua Panna Natural Spring Water has got a chance to make those golden gastronomical dreams come true.
The mineral water brand Acqua Panna -- also a James Beard Foundation House purveyor -- is sponsoring a sweepstakes that would grant one person the opportunity to attend the annual awards ceremony on Monday, May 6, at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.
The brand is presenting this year's James Beard Foundation Outstanding Restaurant Award, an award that recognizes the top restaurant in the field. This year, Phoenix's own Vincent on Camelback has been nominated in that category. The only other nominees from Arizona this year were Sam Fox for Outstanding Restaurateur and Shinji Kurita and Kevin Binkley for Best Chef: Southwest.
The prize includes two roundtrip airfares to New York, two nights of hotel accommodations, and dinner in the city.
Of course, that's all on top of the two tickets to the 2013 James Beard Foundation Gala Awards and Reception.
This year the theme for the ceremony is "Lights! Camera! Taste! Spotlight on Food & Film," which honors the role of food on the silver screen. For the gala, chefs have been asked to make a dish inspired by a food moment from a movie.
To enter to win, "like" the Acqua Panna Facebook page and follow the instructions. The contest ends on April 18, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. PT, and is open to any U.S. resident 21 or older.
A winner will be chosen at random for the prize.
Tickets for the awards go on sale on March 18. For more information call Bowen & Company at 914-231-6180 or visit the James Beard Foundation website.
Check out the list of chefs who will be cooking at the gala:
GALA CHEFS
JBF Award Winner Grant Achatz The Aviary Chicago
JBF Award Winner Nate Appleman Chipotle Mexican Grill NYC
JBF Award Winner Jean-François Bruel DANIEL NYC
JBF Award Winner Traci Des Jardins Jardinière San Francisco
JBF Award Winner Todd English Todd English Enterprises Charlestown, Massachusetts
JBF Award Winner Gavin Kaysen Café Boulud NYC
JBF Award Winner Christopher Lee Sophia's Philadelphia
Thomas McNaughton central kitchen San Francisco
JBF Award Winner Michael Mina MICHAEL MINA San Francisco
David Myers Hinoki & the Bird Los Angeles
Melissa Perello Frances San Francisco
JBF Award Winner Pastry Chef Nicole Plue Sideshow by Nicole Plue California
JBF Award Winner Douglas Rodriguez Alma de Cuba Philadelphia
JBF Award Winner Gabriel Rucker Le Pigeon Portland, Oregon
JBF Award Winner Allison Vines-Rushing and Slade Rushing MiLa New Orleans
JBF Award Winner Marcus Samuelsson Red Rooster Harlem NYC
Aarón Sánchez Mestizo Leawood, Kansas
JBF Award Winner Pastry Chef Mindy Segal Mindy's HotChocolate Chicago
JBF Award Winner Pastry Chef Christina Tosi Momofuku Milk Bar NYC