insiderseattle
Starting in 2020, the new “Northwest and Pacific” region will include Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Previously, Washington was in the “Northwest” region with Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
The new format will feature 12 regions instead of just 10, allowing the JBF to recognize an additional 40 restaurants each year. See below for a press release from the Foundation, and links to the NYT exclusive this morning announcing the change, a JBF website piece highlighting the changes, and an animation that showcases the new regions.
As a reminder, the Foundation will be coming to town in just a few weeks with its Taste America Tour. While the big Taste America Gala dinner on Oct. 4 is sold out, limited tickets remain to the Raising the Bar cocktail party Oct. 3 at Block 41, featuring bites by double-award-winner Edouardo Jordan of Salare and JuneBaby, James Beard Award winner Los Hernandez Tamales of Union Gap, and others, plus cocktails made by top local bartenders Niles Peacock (190 Sunset, Niles Peacock Kitchen + Bar), Amanda Reed (Heartwood Provisions) and others as well. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at https://www.jamesbeard.org/events/taste-america-seattle-raising-the-bar. A full press release on the event, which you should have already received, is at the bottom of this email.