1/28/10 NEWS

SPUR CHEFS BRIAN MCCRACKEN AND DANA TOUGH HONORED WITH TOP RISING CHEF STATUS BY GAYOT (Five, Make that Six, Chefs Chosen Nationally for the Award)

Seattle, WA -- The Chefs of Spur got the nod from industry leader Gayot publications today, being designated together as "one" of the country's Top Five Rising Chefs.

Gayot just announced, "While their peers were partying and procrastinating, these chefs kept their eyes on the culinary prize and paid their dues at an early age. As a result, they are now top chefs at restaurants across the country before their thirtieth birthdays. This year, we have actually discovered six talented young professionals, as two of them form a powerful pair despite their tender years. Look for these half-dozen chefs to continue their culinary careers as top toques in restaurants near you, as well as on television."

Highlights of the editor's review read, "The fresh, creative menu by chef-owners Brian McCracken and Dana Tough stretches culinary boundaries and appeals to adventurous palates with bold, concentrated flavors and surprising textures."

Also included in Gayot's Top Rising Chef line up with Spur's McCracken and Tough were Kevin Gillespie of Top Chef Season 6 fame and Woodfire Grill (Atlanta), Summer Genetti of Palace (Cincinnati), Daniel Giusti of 1789 Restaurant (D.C.), and Sylvain Delpique of David Burke Townhouse (New York). Read about the awards at: http://www.gayot.com/best-restaurants/bestyoungchefs.html

Brian McCracken and Dana Tough are the chefs of both Spur Gastropub and Tavern Law. Spur Gastropub has been honored on Food & Wine's magazine's "Go List" of the world's best restaurants and Condè Nast Traveler's "Hot List" of best places around the world. Food & Wine also included Spur in the “Where to Go Next” feature on the country’s six best gastropubs to visit and described Spur’s salmon as having “the ultimate silkiness”. In addition to being cited for the best dishes and drinks of 2008 and 2009 by Seattle magazine, The Seattle Weekly and The Seattle Times-- Seattle Metropolitan magazine recognizes Spur as having "some of the most innovative mixed drinks in town". Seattle magazine described them as having "the most delicious barhopping snack” and Draft magazine put Spur on their list of Five Best New Gastropubs.

GAYOT.com publishes news and reviews on the best restaurants, hotels, spas, travel destinations, movies, automobiles and other lifestyle topics. Gayot Publications also produces www.novusvinum.com (for the wine and spirits enthusiast), www.thefoodpaper.com (comprehensive epicurean information) and www.qualiteas.com (a delicious brew of tea products, books and shops).

Photos are available for press use. Media inquiries to Kat and Margo at spellmans@spurseattle.com 206.755-2341 and on Twitter @KatSpellman