Dallas Chef Teiichi Sakurai Nominated for Prestigious James Beard Award

Feb. 22, 2011 - PRLog -- (Dallas, Texas) February 22, 2011—The James Beard Foundation recently announced the 2011 Restaurant and Chef Award Semi-Finalists, nominating Teiichi Sakurai, chef and owner of Japanese Soba House Tei-An located in One Arts Plaza, for Best Chef in the Southwest.

On March 21 the semi-finalists will be narrowed down to five per category, and winners will be announced at the awards banquet on May 9.

Chef Teiichi Sakurai’s creativity has established Tei-An as the top destination for authentic Japanese cuisine in Dallas, winning the hearts of the food community with his inspired menu and innovative take on traditional Japanese soba noodles. In fact, the two-year old restaurant garnered five stars from The Dallas Morning News’ Leslie Brenner in December, a distinction Tei-An shares with only one other restaurant in Dallas.  

“It is such an honor to be considered,” said Sakurai of his nomination. “Tei-An is so grateful for the support of our loyal customers. I hope to continue to be part of the thriving culinary experience in Dallas”.

The James Beard Foundation Awards are highly coveted in the restaurant world and are considered the “Oscars of the food world.” In 2009, Tei-An was a James Beard Award semi-finalist for Best New Restaurant and Chef Teiichi Sakurai is honored by his second prestigious nomination this year.

Chef Sakurai was selected from over 25,000 online applicants that were narrowed to 20 semi-finalists in each regional category. Teiichi Sakurai is the only Dallas chef nominated in the southwest category. Colorado and Texas nominees dominate the category this year, which is significant considering the talented Las Vegas chefs included in the region.

Other Dallas nominees include Outstanding Restaurant nominee, the Mansion Restaurant at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and Outstanding Chef nominee, Stephan Pyles.

To experience Teiichi Sakurai’s culinary genius first-hand, please call 214-220-2828 or visit www.ArtsDistrictDining.com  to make a reservation at Tei-An in One Arts Plaza.

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ABOUT ONE ARTS PLAZA:
Located in the heart of Dallas Arts District at the end of Flora Street (1722 Routh Street), One Arts Plaza is a downtown destination for luxury urban living, business, dining and entertainment. The $125 million multiuse structure is the first of three buildings located on 10 acres in the downtown Dallas Arts District. Restaurants include Fedora Restaurant and Lounge, Jorge’s Tex-Mex Café, Screen Door, Tei-An and The Commissary, opening April 2011.

For more information about One Arts Plaza visit www.OneArtsPlaza.com or artsplazaevents.blogspot.com. You can also become a fan of One Arts Plaza on Facebook and follow One Arts Plaza on Twitter @OneArtsPlaza.