Via former Seattle Weekly writer Jonathan Kauffman (now at San Francisco Weekly), we learned about a photo leak of Food & Wine Magazine’s Best New Chefs for 2010. Through this leak (Food & Wine will be publishing the official list at 5 PM Pacific), we can confirm that Spinasse’s Jason Stratton is on the list of 10 chefs who have won this recognition. As Kauffman notes, this is an important honor, since Food & Wine tends to support Best New Chef award winners throughout their culinary careers.
Update: Full list has been published through Food & Wine’s iPhone App:
Jason Stratton, Spinasse, Seattle, WA
Matt Lightner, Castagna, Portland, OR
Roy Choi, Kogi BBQ truck, Los Angeles, CA
James Syhabout, Commis, Oakland, CA
Alex Seidel, Fruition, Denver, CO
Mike Sheerin, Blackbird, Chicago, IL
Jonathon Sawyer, The Greenhouse Tavern, Cleveland, OH
Missy Robbins, A Voce, New York, NY
Clayton Miller, Trummer’s on Main, Clifton, VA
John Shields, Town House, Chilhowie, VA
This is great news for Spinasse and for Capitol Hill. When I think back even 10 years ago and compare the quality of food on the Hill then to what we have now…it’s an amazing transformation. Granted Spinasse is a bit on the higher price-point, but the food is consistently excellent and the ambiance is just as I like it–intimate, rustic and friendly. Congratulations!
The best meal I’ve ever eaten on Capitol Hill was at Spinasse. And lemme tell you I’ve eaten out as lot in 20 years on the Hill. The food is magnificent, atmosphere warm and friendly, service impeccable. It’s a spot to be proud of on the Hill.
I love that the hill has become such a culinary mecca. Spinasse is a jewel.