Partysnack: Picholine kicks off the awards party train

You may have read that it’s time for the James Beard Foundation Awards. While the official ceremony happens on Monday night, there are typically a couple parties leading up to the main event. There’s been a bit of a party drought for the past couple of years but it seems that there’s now a renewed spirit of festivities upon us.

Last night S. Pellegrino, sponsors of the Outstanding Restaurant award, hosted a soirée to fête nominee Terrance Brennan at Picholine. (Note he’s also nominated for Best Chef NYC.) Dressed in a natty blue suit, Terrance graciously accepted the nomination on behalf of his staff. He gave props to the restaurant’s chef, Craig Hopson whom Brennan said does most of the cooking - a refreshingly candid stance for a top chef to take. Terrance was presented with a giant bottle of S.Pellegrino, signed by all in attendance, to which he said “I’ve never received a jeroboam of water before!” As we nibbled on the house fromage and sipped champagne we wondered, what does one do with a jeroboam of bubbly h2o? Cellar it for a special occasion? Pop it Monday night if there’s victory? Turns out it was a show bottle, filled only with bonne chance.