Nancy Oakes
Nancy Oakes | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Chef, restaurateur |
| Known for | Executive chef at Boulevard; James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Chef (2001) |
| Notable work | Boulevard, L'Avenue, Prospect |
Nancy Oakes is a renowned American chef who serves as the executive chef at Boulevard. She earned the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Chef in 2001.
Career
Nancy Oakes started her culinary journey apprenticing with Pat O'Shea at the Mad Hatter restaurant, situated in San Francisco's Richmond District. In 1988, she launched her first establishment, L'Avenue. Although it ceased operations in 1993, L'Avenue was acknowledged as one of five pioneering eateries that reshaped San Francisco’s dining landscape.
Following the closure of L'Avenue, Oakes opened her second venue, Boulevard, housed in one of the two surviving waterfront buildings from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. She has maintained an active role there and also contributes to her third restaurant, Prospect. Between 1995 and 2000, with the exception of 1996, Oakes received consecutive nominations for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef, ultimately winning in 2001. Boulevard earned eight straight nominations for Best Restaurant before securing the award in 2012. Oakes has reflected on Boulevard’s transformation from a local neighborhood eatery to a sought-after dining destination.
In 2021, Oakes collaborated with Anna Weinberg and Ken Fulk to revive Tosca Cafe.
Personal life
Nancy Oakes is married to Bruce Aidells, who founded the Aidells sausage company and is also an author of cookbooks.