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Cooking For James Beard Foundation A Resounding Success

The Troutdale Dining Room in humble Bristol, Tennessee, has been honored to cook for the James Beard House in New York. The Troutdale is the first representative from Tennessee, and is now eligible to be nominated for the Best Restaurant of the Year in the Southeast by the "Oscars of the food world" James Beard Foundation. Winning the award in 2009 would make them eligible for Best Restaurant of the Year in the entire nation.

An invitation to cook for the JBF is a one of the highest honors a restaurant can receive. Ben Zandi brought a team of talented chefs and organic local ingredients to New York on June 14th, 2008, and "just blew them away" with a menu that combined original, locally inspired food with elegant and refined cuisine that demonstrated a mastery of culinary skills.

"We've never experienced anything like this from Tennessee and were thrilled with the experience. The dinner was as good as any restaurant in NY if not better," a board member stated.

TDR was invited back to cook for them next year, which is a privilege and clear sign of total success. When one 80-year-old member of JBF learned they would be back, he said "You gave me a reason to live another year."

On Friday, June13th, The Troutdale was featured on a Martha Stewart live radio show and Darrin Shelley was interviewed 30 minutes. Later the producers came to the James Beard House to enjoy the meal prepared by Ben Zandi and his team. They were "exhilarated" by the meal.

James Beard was renowned for bringing full-course meals to American cuisine that incorporated international techniques and fine dining. On par with friend and legend Julia Child, she helped preserve his influence by converting his famous house into the James Beard Foundation, where restaurants from around the country are invited to cook for the panel and members.

"We came back with the assurance and confidence that we are as good as any restaurant in New York," said Mr. Zandi. "This experience has set a new horizon for us ? we want to be the best in the country, right here in Bristol."

07.11.2008

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