Word came Thursday that the hosting duties of this year’s James Beard Foundation Awards would not just fall on actress Kim Cattrall. Celebrity chef and multiple James Beard Award winner Bobby Flay will now share her job as M.C. at the June 8 ceremony. The two take the reigns from past hosts who’ve included Al Roker, Cokie Roberts, and Hannah Storm.
“Through the years we’ve had a lot of journalists and food personalities host the awards,” James Beard Foundation president Susan Ungaro told us. “It’s a long show. It runs about three hours, so all along we wanted to give it to two people to share this year. Adding that back and forth will help break it up and add to the energy.”“Last year was our first time at Lincoln Center in Avery Fisher Hall,” she added, “and we’re really trying to replicate the great feeling of glamour and excitement of an awards show.”
Cattrall and Flay will be joined by a slew of presenters, including many of last year's honorees. As we reported a few weeks ago, local nominees include chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill, restaurateurs Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali of Babbo, and mainstays Gramercy Tavern and Jean Gorges, which are both up for Outstanding Restaurant.
“Through the years we’ve had a lot of journalists and food personalities host the awards,” James Beard Foundation president Susan Ungaro told us. “It’s a long show. It runs about three hours, so all along we wanted to give it to two people to share this year. Adding that back and forth will help break it up and add to the energy.”“Last year was our first time at Lincoln Center in Avery Fisher Hall,” she added, “and we’re really trying to replicate the great feeling of glamour and excitement of an awards show.”
Cattrall and Flay will be joined by a slew of presenters, including many of last year's honorees. As we reported a few weeks ago, local nominees include chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill, restaurateurs Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali of Babbo, and mainstays Gramercy Tavern and Jean Gorges, which are both up for Outstanding Restaurant.
