Left to right: Ted Allen, host of Food Network's cooking reality show "Chopped" with the show's judges Marc Murphy, Amanda Freitag and Geoffrey Zakarian. Allen won a 2012 James Beard Award winner for "Media Personality/Host (Television or Video Webcast)." (Photo Credit: Gabi Porter)
Chefs' Night Out: Thomas Keller
Thomas Keller, far right, and friends. (Courtesy of Hanna Lee Communications, Inc./Photo Credit: Gabi Porter)
Chefs' Night Out: Jim Meehan
Jim Meehan of New York cocktail bar PDT, one of the nominees for a 2012 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Award for "Outstanding Bar Program." (Photo: Gabi Porter)
Chefs' Night Out: John Besh
Chef and restauranteur John Besh, left, with guest. (Photo Credit: Gabi Porter)
Chefs' Night Out: Michael Anthony
Michael Anthony, chef and partner of Gramecy Tavern (Photo Credit: Gabi Porter)
Chefs' Night Out: Joe Bastianich and Chris Cosentino
Restaurateur Joe Bastianich, left, and Chris Cosentino, chef-partner of Incanto in San Francisco. Cosentino is up for a Beard Award for "Best Chef: Pacific." (Photo Credit: Gabi Porter)
Chefs' Night Out: The Aviary team
Craig Schoettler, left, and Nick Kokonas, executive chef and partner, respectively, of The Aviary in Chicago. The Aviary is nominated this year for "Outstanding Bar Program." (Photo Credit: Gabi Porter)
Chefs' Night Out: Drew Nieporent
Drew Nieporent of Myriad Restaurant Group (Photo Credit: Gabi Porter)
Food and beverage stars gathered together the day before the 2012 JBF Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception
