News for March 2011

Birmingham chefs Frank Stitt, Chris Hastings happy to be in running for Beard award

This is starting to become an annual tradition for Birmingham chefs Frank Stitt and Chris Hastings.

On Monday, for the third year in a row, the James Beard Foundation named Stitt’s Highlands Bar and Grill one of five finalists for its award as the country’s most outstanding restaurant.

Also, for the fourth time in five years, Hastings, the chef and owner of Hot and Hot Fish Club, is a Beard finalist for best chef in the South region. Hastings was previously a finalist in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

Neither Stitt nor Hastings has yet to win either award, but both are hoping this year may be different.

“We used to kid about it how it was just great just to keep being nominated, so that people would keep talking about you,” Stitt said Monday afternoon.

The Beard Awards are considered the Oscars of the food world, and this year’s winners will be announced on May 9 at New York City’s Lincoln Center.

Also on Monday, the Beard Foundation announced that it will induct Stitt into its 2011 class of Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America, which recognizes “a cadre of the most accomplished food and beverage professionals in the country,” according to the Beard website.

Previous Who’s Who inductees include such celebrated chefs and food writers as Julia Child, Graham Kerr, Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse and Martha Stewart.

In addition to Highlands, this year’s other finalists for the country’s outstanding restaurant are Blue Hill, New York City; Boulevard, San Francisco; Eleven Madison Park, New York City; and Vetri, Philadelphia.

“It is a little tougher for places that are in smaller cities to get voted in, because there is almost a propensity to vote on places where you go, and where you go is to New York and California and other major cities,” Stitt said. “So just to be included among the finalists is big enough recognition or me.”

Hot and Hot’s Hastings was on a turkey-hunting and bass-fishing trip to Florida when his wife, Idie, sent him a text-message with the news of his Beard nomination Monday.

“It is the perfect way to celebrate,” he said. “Killed a turkey this morning, caught a few bass this afternoon, and then have a great meal with friends.”

Besides Hastings, the other finalists for best chef in the South are Zach Bell of Cafe Boulud in Palm Beach, Fla.; John Harris of Lilette in New Orleans, Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace in New Orleans; and Stephen Stryjewski of Cochon in New Orleans.

Hastings said it’s significant to keep being nominated.

“After being around 16 years, staying relevant is important,” he said. “I’ve known chefs who have been nominated five, six, seven, eight times, so it’s a maddening process.”

The James Beard Awards are named for the late chef and food writer whom The New York Times called the dean of American cookery.

Join the conversation by clicking to comment or email Carlton at bcarlton@bhamnews.com.

Edited: March 23rd, 2011

Alabama Folk Art and Music Exhibition

In celebration of the Year of Alabama Music, Vulcan Park and Museum will mount a unique exhibition of art that depicts Alabama folk musicians at work and play. The works of art – on loan from the collection of Bill Arnett – are the creations of local self-taught visual artists who share similar backgrounds and artistic viewpoints as their subjects. Those represented include such acclaimed artists as Lonnie Holley, Joe Minter, Charlie Lucas, and Thornton Dial. Through the creations of these great artists, visitors to Vulcan Park and Museum will encounter another artistic world – the world of Alabama folk music. Alabama’s folk music tradition includes its own take on blues, jazz, bluegrass, country, and rockabilly. Folk Art & Music will present original research into Alabama’s amazing folk music tradition alongside the works of art.

Edited: March 9th, 2011

Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama Presented by Legacy Credit Union

205-298-9040 or 205-699-7275. www.barbermotorsports.com. Barber Motorsports Park–Buy your tickets online for the 2011 Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama presented by Legacy Credit Union. With the new print at home ticket option, you can receive your tickets right away! Come and see defending champion Helio Castroneves, Danica Patrick, Dario Franchitti and many more as they light up the track in one of the hottest events of the year. Please visit the website www.barbermotorsports.com to order your tickets today! Be a part of the action and Volunteer! Please call Jonathan Peters at 205-967-4745 x 183 for more information.

Edited: March 9th, 2011

The Washington Post reviews Alabama Music issue of Oxford American

From the article “2011- The year of Alabama music?” by Erin Williams in The Washington Post:
Of all of the new music that has sprung up in 2011, the state of Alabama is looking like the next American hot spot. The Heart of Dixie is having a real moment, with exciting young voices arriving everywhere from Gadsden (rapper Yelawolf, whose album “Radioactive” drops next month) to Coffeeville (country singer Ashton Shepherd who’s scheduled to perform at New York’s CMA Songwriters Series in March). The literary magazine The Oxford American has taken notice. Its twelfth-annual Southern Music Issue, focuses on sounds from – you guessed it – Alabama, profiling the state’s great artists from the past and present. Even having grown up in Alabama — shout out to Anniston! — my ears were opened to new sounds and the stories behind them. Among the artists featured in the issue: Old school country darling Rose Maddox who is remembered here for her song “New Mule Skinner Blues,” 1970s funk act Black Haze Express (Anyone remember “Pretty Soon?”), and 21st century grassroots rap duo G-Side who speak on their Huntsville origins and their new album “The ONE… COHESIVE.” Songs by all three acts, (along with 24 other tracks), are featured on a CD that accompanies the issue. But only time will tell if the disc’s newer talents will have the staying power of their Alabama pop ancestors, Nat King Cole, Emmylou Harris and Lionel Richie.

For the complete article please see http://blog.washingtonpost.com/clicktrack/2011/02/2011_-_the_year_of_alabama_mus.html.

Edited: March 2nd, 2011