Order your next meal at R Bistro cafe on Mass Ave and you'll understand why Chef Regina Mehallick was recently named a semifinalist for the 2010 James Beard Award for Best Chef. The talented chef has work her culinary magic in countries like England, Ireland and Scotland, but has made her home in Indianapolis.
The list of restaurant and chef semifinalists for the awards - one of the nation's most prestigious award programs for food professionals - was released last Thursday. Mehallick was pleased to hear that she made the list.
"I was in shock. It's a big deal - it's a really, really big deal." she said. "You have to be nominated so someone felt that we produced very high quality food. It's definitely a wonderful thing for R Bistro."
This year's open call for nominations yielded a whopping 21,000 or so entries. The award committee took those nominations and narrowed it down to the semifinalists for each of the 19 categories (which include Best Chefs in various geographies, best restaurants, etc.). Mehallick was one of only 20 nominees listed in the Best Chef, Great Lakes category.
On March 22, after more than 400 culinary judges narrow the list down to five nominees per category, the finalists will be announced during an invitation-only breakfast at Palace Cafe in New Orleans. Then, on May 3 at the Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in New York City, the champion of each category will be rightfully crowned.
The entire process is a lengthy one, but ensures that the very best winner is chosen in each category.
"I'm hopeful that we'll win, but there are so many wonderful competitors," says Mehallick. "But whether I win or lose the award, it's still a great honor to be nominated with such a talented group of chefs."
Mehallick, who received her culinary degree from Johnson and Wales culinary school in Charleston, South Carolina, has been an Indy (and NUVO reader) favorite since R Bistro opened in 2001. In addition to various mentions in "Best Of" issues, Mehallick was a recipient of the NUVO Cultural Vision Award in 2009.
Sample even a bite of R Bistro's food and you'll see why Mehallick's name is an easy mention in any of Indianapolis' publications.
With a menu that changes weekly and ingredients that are often local and farm fresh, every R Bistro diner can expect an organic, balanced and savory meal. And if simply using fresh and local goodies weren't enough, Mehallick makes sure to list her Hoosier sources on every menu.
The food itself - which could be described as a contemporary take on all-American cooking - is light, fresh and an unbeatable treat for your taste buds. Don't forget to save room for a little dessert, either as R Bistro features tempting confections often crafted from ingredients like fresh fruit, nuts and chocolate.
Visit the bistro yourself Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and Wednesday through Saturday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner.
Mehallick has recently published a new cookbook, Regina's Seasonal Table, which is available for purchase at R Bistro for $32.05.
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