The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) congratulates Michael Solomonov, chef & owner of Zahav in Philadelphia, on winning the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.

The James Beard Awards celebrate the most talented culinary professionals in the field. As CNN’s Eatocracy points out, the awards are often considered the “Oscars of the food world.”

Chef Solomonov doesn’t just cook inspiring food; he also knows how to prepare it safely for celiac and gluten-free diners. The chef participated in NFCA’s Appetite for Awareness 2010 and has completed gluten-free training through NFCA’s GREAT Kitchens program.

In winning Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, Chef Solomonov joins other GREAT-trained chefs, including Jeff Michaud of Osteria and Marc Vetri of Vetri, who have received the honor.