Yes, Nashville is exploding in reputation for being a dining destination, but it has only captured six wins since James Beard awards started in 1991

James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards were held Monday in Chicago. Half a dozen New York finalists were in the running for top honors, along with five chefs who battled it out for best in the state.

Portland had to settle for the fact that the very first regional winner, Caprial Pence, a then-28-year-old chef from Fullers restaurant at the Seattle Sheraton, promptly moved back to the place where she — and James Beard himself — were raised,