I just wanted to take a quick minute to inform any of you that might be interested, that Food & Wine Magazine has announced the candidates for their people’s choice “Best New Chef” award. All of us from the Minnesota metro region should feel particularly special as four local chef’s have made that list (albeit two of them are grouped together as one chef).

As it’s always great to see our local scene recognized, I highly urge you to head over to the site and vote, ESPECIALLY if you’ve ever had the privilage of dining in any of these exceptional chef’s restaurants. If you’d like to vote click this link: http://bit.ly/g7FnEQ

Here’s a rundown of our local celebrity chef’s that graced this years list!

Erik Anderson of Sea Change

Some of you may be familiar with this name, as Chef Erik Anderson has done some spectacular work both nationally and locally, but most notably for his latest endeavor with Sea Change. Also look for his new sushi collaboration to come out this spring in NE Minneapolis.  This dude is absolutely brilliant when it comes to seafood, so if you haven’t had a chance to check him out, please do so ASAP!

http://www.seachangempls.com/

806 South 2nd Street at the Guthrie

Minneapolis, MN 55415

RESERVATIONS: 612.225.6499

Landon Schoenefeld of Haute Dish

If you at all have your thumb on the pulse of the Minneapolis culinary scene, there’s no doubt you’ve heard Chef Landon’s name thrown around. Offering highend takes on comfort food (most notably Mid-West comfort food), Chef Landon over at Haute Dish is serving up dishes that definitely get this guys (pointing to myself) thumb of approval!

http://www.haute-dish.com/

119 Washington Avenue North

Minneapolis, MN 55401-1619

Phone: (612) 338-8484

Mike Brown and James Winberg of Travail

Again, if you pay attention to MN food chatter, you know that these guys are local legends waiting in the wings.  I have yet to make it down to Travail, but it’s next up on my “to go to” list. I highly expect that these dudes have not even yet begun their culinary conquest of the Mid-West.

http://www.facebook.com/Travailkitchen

4154 West Broadway

Robbinsdale, MN, 55422

763-535-1131

Again, if you’ve ever eaten at any of the above restaurants, please go vote now!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!!!

All photos taken from: http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/02/15/food-wines-the-peoples-best-new-chef-2011-midwest/ Erick Anderson Photo (Kate Gustafson), Landon Shoenfeld Photo (Courtesy of Haute Dish), Mike Brown & James Winberg Photo (Courtesy of Travail).