Two San Diegans Medal in Good Food Awards

Eater San Diego was in the house at this past weekend's Good Food Awards gala ceremony to catch Colby Chandler from Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits and The Linkery's Michael McGuan pick up their winners' medals at this year's event, which was hosted by Alice Waters and held in San Francisco's Ferry Building.

Chandler, Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits' specialty brewer, was honored for his Winter San Salvador, a black lager made with California Barley, local bay leaf and black sage, Carlsbad Aquafarm oysters and Star B Ranch hops from Ramona.

Before taking top honors in the 2013 awards, McGuan's dry-cured country ham was a finalist in the 2010 competition. Cured with spices and blackstrap molasses, the ham is smoked over local red oak before being allowed to mature for a minimum of six months. Tender Greens' Pete Balistreri made it to the runner-up round in the charcuterie category with his eponymous salumi.

San Diego was also represented on the judging panel, which included White Labs founder Chris White, Chefs Andrew Spurgin and Christian Graves, San Diego Magazine contributor Maria Hunt and Venissimo Cheese's head cheese whiz, Gina Frieze.
· Judge These Three Good Food Awards Finalists [U-T]
· Good Food Awards [Official Site]