Announcing the 2012 Eater Awards for Philly

It is time now—drumroll, trumpets, etc.—to announce the winners of the 2012 Eater Awards. In over a dozen categories in 19 cities, the winners comprise a diverse group of the finest and most interesting chefs, operators, and characters in the country. We applaud them. You are hereby instructed to applaud them. So, without further ado—actually, a few quick pre-ambling thoughts....

To recap, Eater's local editors in 19 cities nominated candidates for five major local categories: Restaurant of the Year, So Hot Right Now Restaurant, Chef of the Year, Bartender of the Year, and Stone Cold Stunner. Eater readers then voted to narrow the field to a final three in each category. From that final three, the Eater editorial team chose the winner. Our Eater National brain trust then got together to decide the national winners for those categories. In addition to these main stage winners, said Eater editorial team has named worthy winners in more specialized categories, for myriad notable achievements.

Nominees and winners alike will be feted at a party tonight in Manhattan. Those winners that couldn't make it should watch their mail for packages containing cans of Italian peeled tomatoes. And now, without further ado, the winners in Philly.

Click through for the full rundown of winners across the country on Eater National.

Restaurant Of The Year
Nominees: Zahav, Vernick Food & Drink, Sbraga, Vedge, Stateside
Finalists: Sbraga, Vernick Food & Drink, Vedge
Winner: Vedge

Chef Of The Year:
Nominees: Mike Solomonov, Chris Kearse, Greg Vernick, Joey Baldino, Joe Cicala
Finalists: Mike Solomonov, Greg Vernick, Chris Kearse
Winner: Greg Vernick

So Hot Right Now
Nominees: Fette Sau, Fork, Federal Donuts 2, Pizza Brain, Little Baby's Ice Cream
Finalists: Fette Sau, Federal Donuts 2, Fork
Winner: Fork

Bartender Of The Year
Nominees: George Costa, Al Sotack, Katie Loeb, Casey Parker, Rich Colli
Finalists: George Costa, Al Sotack, Katie Loeb
Winner: Al Sotack

Stone Cold Stunner
Nominees: Ela, Jamonera, Talula's Table, Rittenhouse Tavern, Vernick Food & Drink
Finalists: Ela, Vernick Food & Drink, Talula's Garden
Winner: Talula's Garden

Food Truck Of The Year
Nominees: Pitruco Pizza, Spotburger, Foo Truck, Chewy's, Li'l Dan's
Finalists: Pitruco Pizza, Spotburger, Chewy's
Winner: Spotburger