Tim Fischer, executive chef at the Hotel Donaldson in downtown Fargo, has been named a semi-finalist for a James Beard Foundation Award for the Midwest region.
Deemed "the Oscars of the food world," the Beard awards are the highest honor for food and beverage professionals working in North America.
A native Minnesotan, Fischer returned to the Midwest and joined The Hotel Donaldson in January 2010. His culinary career includes periods working with James Beard award-winning restaurant teams at the Little Nell in Aspen, Colo., and The Inn at Little Washington, Va.
Fischer says he was drawn to the HoDo because of its commitment to sustainable products and the culinary arts. "I like to use local ingredients," he says. "It comes in fresh, we cook it right away and we know it's going out fresh. That's paramount. If it tastes good, looks good, is artfully arranged and our guests get a complete sensory experience, that's culinary art to me."
The semifinalists were selected from a record 28,000 online nominations. A 550-judge panel will narrow each list down to five finalists in each category.
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The final nominees will be announced March 21 at the Oregon Culinary Institute in Portland, and simultaneously live via the foundation's Twitter page @beardfoundation.
The final winners will be announced at the James Beard Foundation Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception May 9 at New York's Lincoln Center.
