Seattle restaurateur Tom Douglas holds his James Beard Award. (MyNorthwest.com/Jamie Griswold)

King County is honoring Seattle
Kitchen host Tom Douglas with his own day.

Friday has been declared “Tom Douglas Day” in King County
in honor of the Seattle restaurateur’s recent win of the
James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur Award. The award is
one of the highest national honors in the restaurant
industry.

King County Executive Dow Constantine said they wanted to
recognize Douglas’ “many years of keeping Seattle diners
happy and well-fed,” in his 13 Seattle-area restaurants.

Douglas said he’s spending the day eating at all of his
favorite restaurants. You may spot him in China Town
having pho for breakfast or
at his Seatown restaurant in Pike Place having fresh crab.

“I’m just going to do my perfect food day and follow it
all the way through and just be a big fat pig at the end
of the day.”

As for your celebration of Tom Douglas Day, he said you
should support your neighborhood joints.

“I would recommend that people get out and support your
local neighborhood restaurants that are run by people that
live right here in Seattle.”

Even though he’s not really one of the little guys
anymore, Douglas wants you to get out of the chain
restaurants for a day.

Seattle chef Thierry Rautureau, Douglas’ right-hand man on
Seattle Kitchen, said no man deserves an award more than
Tom.

“He’s done so much for promoting the food scene in
Seattle…and he’s done a fabulous job,” said Rautureau.

While one would think a James Beard award and a whole day
named after oneself would boost Douglas’ ego, Rautureau
said he’s a very humble man. Plus, they do everything
they can on the Seattle Kitchen show to keep him in check.

“We’re honored to salute Tom Douglas as one of the city
and county’s top tourism assets,” said Tom Norwalk,
President and CEO of Seattle’s Convention and Visitors
Bureau.

“Not only has he achieved the nation’s highest restaurant
industry award but, by way of his long-
running success and outspoken passion for local cuisine
and Northwest ingredients, he has
helped cultivate our region as one of the top food
destinations in the world,” said Norwalk.

Tom Douglas’ Seattle
Kitchen can be heard on Saturdays at 8 a.m. and
Sundays at 10 a.m. Available anytime ON
DEMAND at MyNorthwest.com.

By 97.3 KIRO FM Staff