City of Philadelphia - File #: 170451

• File #: 170451
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: ADOPTED
• File created: 5/4/2017
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Final action: 5/4/2017
• Title: Recognizing and Honoring Philadelphia's Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov, and Greg Vernick as Winners of the 2017 James Beard Awards.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Oh, Councilmember Domb, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Henon, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Taubenberger, Councilmember Greenlee, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Gym, Councilmember Quiñones Sánchez, Councilmember O'Neill

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
5/4/2017	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar	Pass
5/4/2017	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED

Title
Recognizing and Honoring Philadelphia's Stephen Starr, Michael Solomonov, and Greg Vernick as Winners of the 2017 James Beard Awards.

Body
WHEREAS, Established in 1990, the James Beard Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields and celebrate, nurture, and honor chefs and other leaders making America's food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone. They are considered the most prestigious culinary awards in America, and Time has called them "the Oscars of the food world"; and

WHEREAS, Facing extremely tough national competition, 20 restaurants, chefs, and restaurateurs from the Greater Philadelphia area were named semifinalists for the 2017 James Beard Awards; and

WHEREAS, On May 1, 2017, 3 individuals based in Philadelphia were announced as winners at the 2017 James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago-a major recognition of the excellent culinary scene in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The 2017 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur was presented to Stephen Starr of Starr Restaurants, based in Philadelphia. This award is given to a working restaurateur who sets high national standards in restaurant operations and entrepreneurship. Philadelphia alone is home to 19 popular Stephen Starr restaurants; and

WHEREAS, The 2017 James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef was presented to Michael Solomonov of Zahav in Philadelphia. This award is given to a working chef in America whose career has set national industry standards and who has served as an inspiration to other food professionals. Solomonov and chef-business partner Steven Cook own 6 restaurant brands in Philadelphia including Zahav, their first restaurant; and

WHEREAS, The 2017 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic was presented to Greg Vernick of Vernick Food & Drink in Philadelphia. This award is given to a chef who has set new or consistent standards of excellence in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland...