Beard

Here's a reveal that should surprise no one: Best Actor Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis, famous for going to any length necessary to flesh out his film roles, actually grew a beard for "Lincoln. " Like he would have worn a fake one? Asked what it felt like to be wearing a beard during filming, a humorously incredulous Day-Lewis retorted, "What do you mean wearing it? Do you wear your hair?" The questions got better after that, as Day-Lewis talked about his initial reticence about playing such an iconic American as our 16th president.

The James Beard Foundation announced the winners of the 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards on Monday night at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center , capping a weekend of gastronomic events in New York City . Spike Gjerde of Baltimore's Woodberry Kitchen attended the awards ceremony and was among the five finalists for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic, one 10 regional categories in the JBF Awards. But Baltimore is still without a JBF Award winner in a chef category. The Mid-Atlantic winner announced on Monday was Johnny Monis of Koni in Washington.

I appreciate a good beard when I see one -- maybe it's because I can't grow one above my neck -- so I am bummed out to see that Orioles starter Jake Arrieta had shaved off his amazing Al Borland beard from FanFest. In case you missed it, the beard was breathtaking .  Yes, I know it's because the Orioles have a facial hair policy, which is ridiculous. How can Koji Uehara grow sideburns like these but Arrieta can't take a page out of Brian Wilson's book ? I guess it's to avoid a situation like this one (sorry, Nick Markakis)

Unlike those of us who merely sip wine and try to appreciate it, Paul Lukacs has channeled his passion for the drink into a second career, one in which he's increasingly recognized as one of this country's most authoritative voices on the topic. Lukacs' most recent book, "Inventing Wine," was just nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award. If he wins, it would be his second time earning the prize sometimes referred to as the food world's Oscar. When he's not writing books, reviewing wine or traveling the country as a wine judge, Lukacs can be found at Loyola University Maryland, where the 57-year-old is an English professor and director of the school's Center for the Humanities.

One of the biggest sideshow attractions at Tuesday's Media Day circus was Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel, who is sporting a beard that makes Zach Galifianakis ' facial hair look like a little scruff. The beard has become so legendary, it actually got interviewed by FOX Sports' Alex Marvez. "It's really not that itchy," Keisel told Marvez on Tuesday. "I shampoo and condition. It's actually pretty soft. People are pretty surprised when they touch it. I've gotten used to it. " Keisel's beard inspired NFL Network to rank the top 10 beards in NFL history, and the homeless man's beard of Ravens safety Ed Reed was seventh on the list.

ARLINGTON, Texas — The debate over which Super Bowl XLV team has the edge can be argued convincingly from either side. On this, however, there's no splitting hairs: Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel has the best, most-prodigious, most-talked-about beard of the week. And not just by a whisker. "There's no other beard that matches it," conceded Keisel, trying to maintain some modesty, "so it's just 'The Beard.'" Just about every other Steeler has some sort of facial hair — including the coach and quarterback — but none of those guys has both a Facebook site and Twitter account (neither started by him)

On September 18, 2003 JOHN OLIVER BEARD SR., father of Daved Jones, Mary Beard-Drake, Edie and Ronnie Beard and Jay Whiteside and the late John and Joseph Beard, brother of Joseph Washington. Also survived by ten grandchildren. Friends may call at the ECKHARDT FUNERAL CHAPEL P.A., 11605 Reisterstown Rd., Owings Mills, Tuesday 6 to 7 P.M. at which time services will be held. Interment Wednesday 10 A.M. at Piney Grove Cemetery.

People flock to Pimlico Race Course on the third Saturday in May for the excitement, for a good party or for a stiff Black-Eyed Susan. The bill of fare, though, hasn't been high on the list of attractions since the Coolidge administration. The Maryland Jockey Club is looking to have the food at this year's race make the kind of lasting impression fans haven't seen since 1997, when Silver Charm, Free House and Captain Bodgit were separated at the finish by less than three feet.

Woodberry Kitchen's Spike Gjerde wasn't the only Baltimorean who got good news at Monday's announcement of the James Beard Award finalists.  Paul Lukacs, director of the Center for Humanities at Loyola University Maryland, was nominated for a James Beard Foundation Book Award. Lukacs' book, Inventing Wine: A New History of One of the World's Most Ancient Pleasures , was among three finalists in the Beverage category. Lukacs was a James Beard Foundation Book Award winner in 2001 for his previous book, American Vintage . The James Beard Foundation Book, Broadcast & Journalism Awards Dinner will take place on May 3 at Gotham Hall in New York City.

The James Beard Foundation announced the finalists for the 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards, and Spike Gjerde of Woodberry Kitchen is among the five finalists for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic, one of 10 regional categories. This is the first time Gjerde has made it to the finalist level. Among Baltimore chefs, only Cindy Wolf has made it to the finalist round, twice, in 2006 and 2008. “It's exciting,” said Gjerde, who learned about his nomination soon after it happened.  “We were in our managers' meeting at Woodberry, and unbeknownst to me a couple of employees were following the Twitter thread [of the nominations announcement]

Three Baltimore chefs will make their James Beard House debuts on May 30 when they prepare a Chesapeake Bounty dinner for the James Beard Foundation. The chefs, Chad Gauss ( The Food Market ), Cyrus Keefer ( Birroteca ) and Sajin Renae ( Fork & Wrench ), are behind three of the most popular and well-reviewed restaurant openings of 2012. The menu for the Chesapeake Bounty dinner has not been finalized. The Chesapeake Bounty dinner is one of more than 200 culinary events open to the public that take place at the James Beard House in New York City throughout the year.

Here's a reveal that should surprise no one: Best Actor Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis, famous for going to any length necessary to flesh out his film roles, actually grew a beard for "Lincoln. " Like he would have worn a fake one? Asked what it felt like to be wearing a beard during filming, a humorously incredulous Day-Lewis retorted, "What do you mean wearing it? Do you wear your hair?" The questions got better after that, as Day-Lewis talked about his initial reticence about playing such an iconic American as our 16th president.

The James Beard Foundation announced the list of restaurant and chef semifinalists for the 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards. Cindy Wolf of Charleston and Spike Gjerde of Woodberry Kitchen are among the 20 semifinalists for Best Chef Mid Atlantic, one of 10 regional categories. Both chefs have made the semifinalists list before. Bryan Voltaggio, who has previously been among the Mid Atlantic semi-finalists, was not included this year. The five finalists in each category will be announced on March 18 and the winners will be announced on May 6. Among Baltimore chefs, only Wolf has made it to the finalist round, twice, in 2006 and 2008.

Clarence Edward Beard, a retired Baltimore County public schools vocal music teacher, died of kidney failure Sept. 28 at his Pikesville home. He was 97. Born in Westminster, he was raised on his parents' dairy farm. He was a 1932 graduate of Westminster High School, where he played soccer. During the Depression of the 1930s, his father traded land, now used as a golf course, to the old Western Maryland College for tuition for his children, family members said. Mr. Beard earned a bachelor's degree in music and mathematics at the school, now called McDaniel College.

Andrew Zimmern's "Bizarre Foods" picked up a James Beard award for TV Show, On Location at Friday night's Book, Broadcast and Awards. Zimmern, the headliner for this Saturday's Foodie Experience event at the Hippodrome, won an individual James Beard award in 2010 for TV Food Personality . The award for TV Show, Fixed Location went to "Chopped," and its host, Ted Allen, won this year's award for Media Personality/Host....