While James Beard nominations and successes are valuable and are rarely given to the un-deserving, the whole process is Academy Award-like. There are really only ~25 awards per year. Boston is in the New England regional category. So each year there are very few spots that can go to Boston chefs and restaurants. Consensus builds in funny ways when insiders [~600 of them] choose.
The way social media popularity works today, you're almost better off to be in rural Maine or the Berkshires than to be in Boston or Portland. I wonder if the best and most creative talent prefer to be off the beaten path where more effort is required to visit reducing the impact of ring-light, follow-the-noise types that proliferate in bigger cities. As you said, volume and repeatability are top considerations for investors in downtown restos.
Over the years, I think good spots that succeed financially somehow and don't get recognition are the most memorable--since I can get in and not fight the "we need to go there" crowd.
An excellent piece, Anna.
While James Beard nominations and successes are valuable and are rarely given to the un-deserving, the whole process is Academy Award-like. There are really only ~25 awards per year. Boston is in the New England regional category. So each year there are very few spots that can go to Boston chefs and restaurants. Consensus builds in funny ways when insiders [~600 of them] choose.
The way social media popularity works today, you're almost better off to be in rural Maine or the Berkshires than to be in Boston or Portland. I wonder if the best and most creative talent prefer to be off the beaten path where more effort is required to visit reducing the impact of ring-light, follow-the-noise types that proliferate in bigger cities. As you said, volume and repeatability are top considerations for investors in downtown restos.
Over the years, I think good spots that succeed financially somehow and don't get recognition are the most memorable--since I can get in and not fight the "we need to go there" crowd.
Completely agree, John, and thank you for reading!!
Loved this critique! Asking relevant and necessary questions with all the evidence to back it up
Thank you 💗💗
Anna!!!!!! AMAZING
🫶🫶
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Related, if you haven’t read yet:
https://tomatotomato.xyz/magazine/on-boston
Thank you! I did and I enjoyed it / learned a lot, need more of this reporting
Excellent take!
Thank you so much for reading!