WASHINGTON — A handful of local chefs and restaurateurs received a coveted James Beard Award at a ceremony Monday night in Chicago.

[related_gallery align=”right”]

The award, which bears the name of a famous American cookbook author and teacher,  is often likened to an Oscar of the food industry.

Mark Furstenberg of D.C.’s Bread Furst took home the award for Outstanding Baker, and Sam Calagione of Milton, Delaware’s Dogfish Head Craft Brewery won Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional.

Stephen Starr, a Philadelphia-based restaurateur who runs the popular D.C. restaurant Le Diplomate, won for Outstanding Restaurateur, and Schultz’s Crab House in Essex, Maryland, was named a “2017 James Beard Foundation America’s Classics.”

Nora Pouillon, of D.C.’s Restaurant Nora, received the 2017 James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. Pouillon opened the country’s first certified organic restaurant on a quiet street in Dupont Circle nearly 40 years ago.

In October, 2016, she announced her plans to retire and sell her restaurant.

Best New Restaurant was awarded to Le Coucou in New York; Michael Solomonov of Philadelphia’s Zahav won Outstanding Chef.