Nominees for the 2008 James Beard Awards, often referred to as the ‘Oscars of the food industry’, were announced today. Here are the local connections:

Restaurateur of the Year: Stephen Starr

Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic: Alison Barshak (Alison at Blue Bell), Jim Burke (James), Jose Garces (Amada), Matthew Levin (Lacroix), Daniel Stern (Rae)

Outstanding Pastry Chef: Kate Honeyman (Continental Mid-Town)

Rising Star Chef of the Year: Jeff Michaud (Osteria), Chip Roman (Blackfish), Michael Solomonov (Marigold Kitchen)

Outstanding Chef: Marc Vetri (Vetri)

Outstanding Service: Vetri

Best New Restaurant: Osteria, Tinto, Xochitl

They also give out awards to food writers, which we would undoubtedly win if we could afford the $100 entry fee.

Beard Nominees Sent to Judges [Grub Street]

The Bite talks soup today as January is national soup month. Tuesday Legal Sea Foods is giving away cups of chowder. And if you can’t make it out to King of Prussia make it to the Pumpkin Market on South Street for their short rib chili. It’s also Mexican mole month at Xochitl with a special 3-course menu for $40.

Details on the Xochitl Mole Menu after the jump.

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Sundays at Xochitl bring a four-course, $35 prix fixe menu to the table. The menu changes every week but is sure to warm your innards.

Xochitl [Official Site]

Xochitl in Headhouse Square is offering a special menu from October 30th to November 4th. A 4-course Day of the Dead themed meal for just $35. Add drink pairings to your dinner for an total of $55.

Check out the menu after the jump.

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Wednesday, October 10th from 7 to 10 PM head to Headhouse Square for the first Savor the Shambles: A Taste of South Street District event. Granted it’s a long name but it’s for a good cause, the continued conservation of the Headhouse Shambles.

$10 gets you five servings from any of the participating restaurants. Additional servings are just $2 each.

Participating restaurants after the jump.

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Philadelphia Weekly’s Field Guide this week focuses on Philadelphia’s best margaritas rating them in 7 categories.

• Xochitl
• El Vez
• TGI Fridays
• Mexican Post
• Los Catrines Tequila’s
• Lolita

Lovely ’Ritas [Philadelphia Weekly]

Feed Me Philly catches up with Xochitl and has an experience that leaves more questions than answers.

Sure the Micheleda awed and the gorditas de huitlachoche were delicious, the ceviche and main course were flawed.

Xochitl [Feed Me Philly]
Xochitl [Official Site]

In the Metro today check out where you can find locally farmed foods in the city, and some local beer too. Local happy hour tonight at Southwark and at Good Food, Good Beer and the Rest Is History under the shambles at Headhouse Square this Saturday. Xochitl, Zot and Bridget Foy’s among others will participate.

Also there are rumors of a mutiny at the Rum Bar. Arrrgh Matey!

The Bite: City gets Fresh [Philadelphia Metro]

The 3rd Annual Good Food, Good Beer and the Rest Is History event is taking place on Saturday July, 21st under the Headhouse Square shambles at 2nd and Lombard from 5:30 to 8:30 PM.

This Buy Fresh Buy Local food and beer tasting event will include food from Bridget Foy’s, General Lafayette Inn, James, Run for the Hills, Rx, White Dog, Xochitl and Zot. Brewers will include Dogfish Head, General Lafayette, Sly Fox, Stoudt’s, Triumph, Troegs, Victory and Yards.

The Philadelphia Convivium of Slow Food and its local partner Farm to City are co-sponsors of the event. The event is a fund-raiser for Slow Food.

Tickets are $30 for 5 sample food plates or $22 for 3 sample food plates. For advance tickets, call Slow Food at 718-260-8000 and ask for The Rest Is History event. Tickets will also be available at the entrance (cash only).

Local Food Philly [Official Site]
Slow Food Philly [Official Site]
Farm to City [Official Site]
White Dog Cafe Foundation [Official Site]

Cool down with a summer drink that is light and has some zip. Try Xochitl’s Michelada. Described as “My Frozen Beer,” the Michelada is a delicious concoction of draft beer, lime slice and spicy tomato juice, served over ice in a salt-rimmed glass. Think of it as a Bloody Mary crossed with a beer. it’s light, refreshing and finishes with a kick.

Xochitl [Official Site]

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