Publican Will Host James Beard Award Finalists Announcements, Names New Head Chef

By Lisa White in Food on Feb 25, 2014 9:40PM

Some big happenings over at one of our favorite local spots, the Publican. Kevin Pang posted today that the James Beard Foundation will be announcing their finalists for the 2014 awards at the Publican on Tuesday, March 18. For six years the foundation has been hosting the finalists announcement at various locations across the U.S., first at Frontera Grill in 2009. Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation, told the Tribune that the timing of the Housewares Show being the same week and Chef Paul Kahan being the most recent recipient of their Outstanding Chef Award played into their choice to return to Chicago. “Clearly, Chicago is one of America’s most dynamic food cities, boasting numerous talented and creative James Beard Award winners,” Ungaro told the Tribune.

The event is not open to the public, but as Pang points out, they will likely live-stream it online as they have done in the past. To add even more excitement, the event will be one of the first big forays for the newly announced chef de cuisine at the Publican, Cosmo Goss. Goss helped open Publican Quality Meat as the head butcher two years ago. The 26-year-old is currently the executive sous chef at both the Publican and PQM until Monday March 3, when he will take over the Publican, Pang reports.