Central Florida’s chefs aren’t worthy of James Beard Awards — or, this year, even nominations — but apparently they’re good enough to cook for the ones who are.
Hari Pulapaka, chef and co-owner of Cress restaurant in DeLand, has been invited to cook at the reception following the James Beard Awards presentation in Chicago on May 7.
This year’s theme for the gala is Rise, which I assumed had something to do with baking bread. But no. According to a release from the organization, Rise “celebrates the community of chefs who rise to the occasion—whether to feed those in need, to stand up for what they believe in, to support their local communities, or to express their personal stories through their cooking.”
Pulapaka certainly qualifies. He and his wife and co-owner, Jenneffer, hosted the Solidarity Sunday dinner that was held on the street in front of the restaurant and featured foods from nations that had earlier been designated shithole countries.
He will be cooking alongside other chefs from around the country who have participated in the Beard Foundation sponsored Chefs Boot Camp for Policy and Change. Pulapaka’s theme is I Rise for Humanity. His dish is Lionfish Bhel Puri, inspired by his hometown of Mumbai.
Central Florida had no nominees for this year’s Beard Awards, although Pulapaka has been nominated four times in the past.
Others cooking at the gala include:
Awards Gala Reception
Charleen Badman
FnB, Scottsdale, AZ
Jamilka Borges The Independent, Pittsburgh
Amy Brandwein Centrolina, Washington, D.C.
Katie Button Nightbell, Asheville, NC
JBF Award Winner Tim Byres Smoke, Dallas
Lisa Carlson and Carrie Summer Chef Shack Companies, Minneapolis
Alexandra Clark Presented by Valrhona Bon Bon Bon, Detroit
Erika Dupree Cline Bleu Chocolat, Jacksonville, FL
Graeme Cockburn Presented by Windstar Cruises
JBF Award Winner Justin Devillier Presented by Tabasco© La Petite Grocery
JBF Award Winner Debbie Gold Tied House, Chicago
Asha Gomez The Third Space, Atlanta
JBF Award Winner Sarah Grueneberg Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio, Chicago
Sarah Hymanson and Sara Kramer Kismet, Los Angeles
Brother Luck Presented by Skuna Bay Salmon Four by Brother Luck, Colorado Springs, CO
Ouita Michel Holly Hill Inn, Midway, KY
JBF Award Winner Kevin Nashan Sidney Street Café and the Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co., St. Louis
Mario Pagán Mario Pagán Restaurant, San Juan, PR
JBF Award Winner Ana Sortun Oleana, Cambridge, MA
Jeffrey Steelman Presented by HMSHost Wicker Park Seafood & Sushi Bar, Chicago
Sarah Tibbetts Presented by Valrhona Valrhona, NYC
JBF Award Winner Greg Vernick Vernick Food & Drink, Philadelphia
Fabio Viviani Presented by Lavazza Mercado, Chicago
Cathy Whims Nostrana, Portland, OR
JBF Award Winner Rebecca Wilcomb Herbsaint Bar and Restaurant, New Orleans
Erling Wu-Bower Presented by Breville® Pacific Standard Time, Chicago
