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Beau Schooler, chef at the Rookery Café in Juneau, has been nominated for the “Rising Star of the Year” award by the prestigious James Beard Foundation.

“The awards are kind of like the Oscars of the food world. It’s a pretty big deal. It’s about the highest you can get as far as recognition wise and awards in this particular field,” says Schooler.

Back in the fall of 2013, KTOO ran a story profiling Schooler. He described the kind of menu that has gotten him noticed.

“We pickled some grapes with chai tea and we’re doing that with corn flakes and blue cheese. Then we got that bacon panna cotta–we’re doing that with passion fruit and avocado. Rachel is searing off duck livers to make a duck liver whipped cream and we’re going to put that on top of a gruyere cupcake.”

Schooler found out about the nomination yesterday on Facebook. He says the whole thing is still surreal.

“Anyone can nominate anyone. How I actually ended up on the semifinalists’ list–I have no idea. I really don’t think I should even be there,” he says.

According to the foundation’s website, they received some 35,000 nominations. Those have been whittled down to 21 categories with 25 semifinalists in each. Being a semifinalist is big deal, but Schooler says he’s had help.

“I’m really happy for myself and all of the cooks that have worked with me: Travis Hotch and Rachel Barill and Linkus Swinson are my core guys that have helped me get everything where it’s been going. I’m glad that we as a team can get some recognition for what we’re been doing,” he says.

Each of the 21 categories will be narrowed down to 5 finalists in March, and the winner will be selected in Chicago in April. Schooler says the winner gets a plaque and a medal—but he’d just be excited to go eat food in Chicago.

Becoming famous for his operas and concertos, the baroque composer and keyboard virtuoso, George Handel spent most of his career in England though born in German on this date in 1685. Wyatt tries to get a handle on Handel while Gavin composes himself underneath the composer’s keyboard. You are invited to join John and some jazz and R&B keyboard artists for a birthday tribute to George Handel on Crosscurrents, 2/23 at 8 a.m.

The Juneau Arts and Humanities Council’s Wearable Art show is this weekend at Centennial Hall. Now in its fourteenth year, the theme is “Juxtaposition” and artists have been preparing for months. This will be artist Bobbi McCutcheon’s fourth year–her pieces can take up to a year to create and are made by hand, one bead at a time.

Tickets are sold out for both shows but 360 North with broadcast the event on Thursday, February 19 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 21 at 9 p.m.

 

The Juneau Arts and Humanities Council’s Wearable Art show is this weekend at Centennial Hall. Now in its fourteenth year, the theme is “Juxtaposition” and artists have been preparing for months. This will be artist Michelle Morris’s third year and her piece is called “Southeast Struggle.”

 

Tickets are sold out for both shows but 360 North with broadcast the event on Thursday, February 19 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, February 21 at 9 p.m.

The 3,000 year old burial chamber of Egyptian pharaoh King Tutankhamun was unsealed by English archaeologist Howard Carter who entered the tomb on this date in 1923. Gavin and Wyatt are encircled by golden jewels from the Nile River Delta while John is surrounded by boogie-woogie from the Mississippi River Delta. You are invited to float down the Nile River with Mississippi Delta Blues by tuning in Crosscurrents 2/16 at 8 a.m.

Katie B. celebrates Valentine’s Week with special guest artist Taylor Vidic and takes your requests and dedications on Facebook or in the studio at 586-1212, Wednesday, February 11, 9-11 p.m. on Stormy Weather.