Chef Jean-Louis Gerin Wins James Beard Award

Best Chef in the Northeast
First Connecticut Chef Ever to Win

New York, NY -- May 8, 2006 - On Monday evening at the James Beard Foundation's annual Awards gala in New York City, acclaimed Connecticut chef, Jean-Louis Gerin, won the award for Best Chef in the Northeast, against a field of four talented Northeastern United States' chefs. Jean-Louis is the only chef from Connecticut ever to win this award. Chef Gerin's eponymous restaurant, located in Greenwich, CT, (203) 622-8450, on Lewis Street for more than twenty years, was recognized as Best New Restaurant by USA Today, and he as Chef to Watch by Food & Wine magazine. Chef Gerin also won the prestigious Merite Agricole de France award by the French government for his work promoting French cuisine here in the United States. He was named "Maitre Cuisinier de France" in 1993.

Chef Gerin is thrilled to receive this honor from the members of the James Beard Foundation, founded in 1985 to foster food developments here in the United States. "My wife Linda and I love being with people who love food and wine, whether we're at Jean-Louis or a friend's place," says Jean-Louis. "At our restaurant, we are constantly playing with ingredients and techniques, and that's what makes life really fun. We didn't even notice when twenty years went by!" Linda Gerin received the award during the ceremonies on behalf of her husband and her restaurant team in Greenwich.

Restaurant Jean-Louis serves lunch Monday through Friday, noon to 2PM, dinner daily from 6PM, Saturday, 6:15 to 9:30. Closed Sundays, except for private events. For a events, menus, history and directions, go to http://www.restaurantjeanlouis.com/. Restaurant Jean-Louis is located at 61 Lewis Street in Greenwich.