The San Diego chapter of the California Restaurant Association has honored Kipp Downing, proprietor of Pacifica Del Mar, as Restaurateur of the Year, and Jeff Thurston, executive chef for The Prado at Balboa Park, as Chef of the Year. The People’s Choice award went to Outback Steakhouse.

About 1,000 industry insiders attended the association’s 21st annual Gold Medallion dinner where the awards were dished out. Other winners included Associate Member of the Year, Young’s Market; Best American Casual, Sbicca Bistro; Best American Fine Dining, George’s at the Cove; Best Asian Casual, Jasmine Seafood Restaurant; Best Asian Fine Dining, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro; Best Bar, The Bitter End; Best Breakfast, Café 222; Best Casino Buffet, Harvest Buffet at Viejas Casino; Best Casino Dining, The Grove Steakhouse at Viejas Casino; Best Ethnic Dining, Kemo Sabe; Best Fusion Dining, Parallel 33; Best Hotel Restaurant Casual, Veranda Bar and Grill at Rancho Bernardo Inn; Best Hotel Restaurant Fine Dining, El Bizcocho at Rancho Bernardo Inn; Best Italian Casual, Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana; Best Italian Fine Dining, Sante Ristorante; Best Live Music Venue/Restaurant, Humphrey’s by the Bay; Best Mexican Full Service, Café Coyote; Best Mexican Quick Service, Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill; Best Neighborhood Dining, Kensington Grill; Best New Restaurant Casual, Sage Grill; Best New Restaurant Fine Dining, Oceanaire Seafood Room; Best Pacific Rim Dining, Roy’s Restaurant; Best Pizza, Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza; Best Pub, The Field; Best Quick Service Restaurant, In-n-Out Burger; Best Seafood Casual, Brigantine Seafood Restaurant; Best Seafood Fine Dining, Pacifica Del Mar; Best Sports Restaurant/Bar, Moondoggies; Best Steakhouse Casual, Bully’s East, Best Steakhouse Fine Dining, Fleming’s Steakhouse; Best Sunday Brunch Hotel, Market Café at Loew’s Coronado Bay; Best Sunday Brunch Restaurant, The Marine Room, and Best Sushi Bar, Café Japengo.

The awards banquet was held at the Town and Country Resort. KNSD Sports Reporter Jim Lazlavic served as emcee. San Diego Metropolitan Magazine congratulates all the honorees.

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Marine Room executive chef Bernard Guillas is one of two chosen to prepare a pair of Celebrity Chef Dinners to benefit the James Beard Foundation aboard the Radisson Seven Seas Mariner. Guillas also will host a cooking demonstration while aboard the ship. The cruise departs from Los Angeles on Dec. 9, making stops at ports such as Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas before returning to Los Angeles on Dec. 17. For more information, call (877) 505-5370. Executive Chef Derek Healy of City Club in Los Angeles also will be aboard during the first portion of the cruise.

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The Hotel W’s RICE Restaurant has named Marisa De Augustine as g.m. She most recently served as food and beverage coordinator at W Seattle’s Earth and Ocean Restaurant. Amanda Craig is new g.m. of the W San Diego’s bars and will be overseeing Magnate, Beach and Living Room.

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Bird Rock residents can look forward to a new neighborhood eatery located at 5662 La Jolla Blvd. Beaumont’s, named for its cross street, opens in late summer. This 2,600-square-foot eatery will serve American fare. Beaumont’s is brought to you by the very talented Megan Heine, owner of Brockton Villa, also in La Jolla.

Terryl Gavre believes the world would be a better place if everyone worked once as a foodserver. She is owner of Café 222, Downtown, and can be reached at (619) 233-4060, Ext. 316, or terryl@sandiegometro.com.