Sunday, June 8th

Amuse your bouche! The James Beard Awards descend upon Lincoln Center, infusing the area with eau de horny middle-aged minx, as tonight’s festivities are hosted by Kim Cattrall (The Sex and the City movie featured her character, Samantha, adorning her naked body with sushi rolls—oh, yummy!). Bobby Flay co-hosts, and presenters include eye candy—Padma Lakshmi—as well as heavy hitters Tom Colicchio, Daniel Boulud, Danny Meyer, Thomas Keller and Four Seasons gatekeeper Julian Niccolini. Dan Barber, chef and co-owner at Blue Hill—with locations in West Village and Westchester—has been nominated for Outstanding Chef. “It’s one of these tasting feasts,” he said. “There are tables of different chefs and restaurants, and it’s kind of like a grazing event. …” Mr. Barber is not even rooting for himself to win. “This sounds ridiculously cheesy, but there’s a guy who’s nominated with me named Grant Achatz”—of Chicago’s Alinea; he has recently battled cancer—“and I’m kind of rooting for him. I ate there a while ago, and I’m totally enamored with this guy, both his personality, his drive and his artistry. Is it odd or saccharine sweet to be rooting for the guy who’s opposing you?”

[The James Beard Awards, Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, 212-925-0054]

mbryan@observer.com