And the Winning Chef is...

Well, it appears that I spoke and wrote to soon.  Whether it was that I underestimated the people of Cincinnati, or simply allowed a little pessismism to creep into my hopeful expectations is irrelevant at this point, except insofar as it now permits with even greater joy and fanfare to announce that, in fact, Chef Jose Salazar was the winner of Food and Wine's Best New Chef for 2011 by a considerable margin.  He toppled many fine chefs throughout several states; and it is indicative of both his talent as well as the support he recevied from the local dining denizens of the great city of Cincinnati that he was able to achieve this much coveted honor.  This was not a designation awarded to him from on-high, say by an oligarchic panel of tasting luminaries; but rather it came to him as part of groundswell of support that he received from across the Greater Cincinnati area and abroad. 

To be sure native Cincinnatians spread across the nation did their own part to bring the title home to the Queen City, and Chef Salazar couldn't have been more humbled by their support.  "It truly speaks volumes about the small-big town feel of Cincinnati." says Linda Eigel, a native Cincinnatian and Humana Executive.  "The fact that I received an email from the Cincinnatian to support Chef Salazar all the way down here in San Antonio, Texas and was then able to pass it along to other guests and friends in order to drum up support makes me feel good about how we Cincinnatians stick together." 

And stick together is certainly what Cincinnati did.  In the last week there was a surge of voting from people all over the city that eventually put Jose over the top in the last 1/2 hour to 45 minutes of the tally.  Represenatives from virtually every downtown company who have had the pleasure of dining with Chef Salazar at his Palace Restaurant Cincinnatian did their part to support him.  He is more than grateful; he is indebted.  Each and every time he steps into the kitchen he'll know that he has a heavy burden upon his shoulders, as he continues with each and every meal at each and every opportunity to merit the faith and attention that local diners have placed in him as "the People's Chef."  It is a huge responsibility, no doubt, but it is one as Polly Campell, the distinguished Cincinnati Enquirer's food critic aknowledges, he "totally deserves."

Stop down and say hello to Jose Salazar.  If you have a specical occassion you're celebrating or wish to treat that special somebody to the greatest fare in the Great Lakes, then come yet again and try out the Palace Restaurant.  And if your out of town, and wish to come home again for a few days, then why not while your in Cincinnati do as the Cincinnatians do and stay and dine at The Cincinnatian. 

Congratulations Chef Salazar!!!