Highlands Bar & Grill and pastry chef win Beard Awards

Birmingham’s growing reputation as a foodie paradise got another big boost on Monday, May 7, when The James Beard Foundation announced its Restaurant and Chef Awards for 2018 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Highlands Bar & Grill in Five Points South was named Outstanding Restaurant, and Dolester Miles, the restaurant’s pastry chef, won the award for Outstanding Pastry Chef.

This was the 10th year in a row that Highlands -- known for its classic French technique and fresh ingredients -- was a final nominee for best restaurants, and the third year in a row that Miles had been nominated.

The Beard Awards, which have been given since 1990, are thought to be the highest honor for food and beverage professionals in the United States.

Frank Stitt is the co-owner and chef at Highlands, and his wife, Pardis Stitt, is, the co-owner and restaurant operator.

“Pardis and I are so proud of our dedicated team at Highlands Bar & Grill," Frank Stitt said in a statement to Iron City Ink when the awards finalists were announced in March.

Another local favorite, The Atomic Bar & Lounge, did not win a Beard Award but was named a semi-finalist in February for Outstanding Bar Program, which put them in the top 20 in the U.S.

Get to know the bars in a past article from Iron City Ink here.