Five Philadelphia chefs, restaurateurs, and restaurants have been nominated for the James Beard Awards, the food world's highest honor. Vetri was nominated for Outstanding Service. We spoke to Jeff Benjamin, one half on the Vetri team, today. Check back for more interviews and complete coverage of the Beard Awards.
Congratulations on your nomination! What does the nomination mean to you?
There are so many emotions when your peers single you out as someone who excels. It sounds cliche, but it is just an unbelievable honor to know that our own colleagues say "you guys are amongst 5 restaurants that we think do this better than the rest of us."
Osteria was a 2008 nominee for Best New Restaurant. How did the nomination affect business?
Philadelphians are pretty much ahead of the curve with regard to the food scene, so we were fortunately very busy prior to the nomination. It did help to put us on the national stage.
Who do you think is your biggest competition in the Outstanding Service category? What attributes do they have that you don't?
I don't know that I would call it competition so much as co nominees. Each has a unique characteristic about them. However, Daniel certainly has the national recognition (for good reason) and of course so does Emeril. There is an elegance at Daniel that hearkens to the old French style, but allows a tremendous familiarity with the guest. It really is a great marriage of classical service with the newer casual leanings.
What makes the service at Vetri unique? How do you make service a priority with everyone on the staff?
We're fortunate to have very little turnover at Vetri so the staff really has developed a chemistry that allows us to move about the night rather seamlessly. You really can't "make" someone give good service. I think good, professional servers intuitively have an aim to please. We can teach them our methods and Vetri specific style, but truth is proper hiring is the key.
If you win, how are you going to celebrate?
Win or lose, I will enjoy a wonderful night in Manhattan with my wife.
Which restaurants will you be checking out while in New York?
We'll only be there the one night so we'll have to do a few "drive-bys". I'm excited to see Cesare Casella's Salumeria Rosi, I haven't been. Of course if Stephen Starr wins we'll go to Buddakan for a congratulatory drink with him. Last year we shook off the loss at Morimoto.
Where do you like to eat and drink in Philadelphia?
As you might imagine I don't get out much. When I do I frequent Xochitl and Zahav. Amada is always one of my favorites as well, nothing beats the smoked octopus there!
