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Last night in Chicago, the James Beard Foundation announced the winners of the 2017 James Beard Awards. A lot of New Orleans talent was up for awards and three took awards home. Shaya’s Zachary Engel took home the Rising Star Chef award; Arnaud’s French 75 Bar won for Outstanding Bar Program; and Herbsaint’s Rebecca Wilcomb earned a regional Best Chef medal.
Here now are some of the best Instagram photos from finalists and winners from New Orleans:
Shaya’s Zachary Engel celebrated with his wife and kiddo after winning the James Beard for Rising Star Chef award.
He also balled out on green spaghetti and Krug champagne after the big win.
Arnaud’s French 75 Bar finally won a much-deserved James Beard. Chris Hannah leads the bar program there and now we can all watch this adorable meme over and over again.
Willa Jean’s Kelly Fields was up for Best Pastry Chef. Those sunglasses!
Compere Lapin’s Nina Compton showed off her squad’s style.
Alon Shaya posted this one of the Shaya team celebrating Zach Engel’s win.
Herbsaint’s Rebecca Wilcomb took home Best Chef: South. Eater thinks this may have been taken before the big win.
And then there is this adorable celebration with Arnaud’s French 75 Bar and Cure hanging out at what may be Big Star across from the Violet Hour in Chicago. Both bars were finalists. Arnaud’s French 75 won. And they all celebrated.
