Mark Furstenberg of Bread Furst in Van Ness, is up for a James Beard award for Outstanding Baker. (Photo by LaTur)

It’s official: D.C. has one of the best bakers in the U.S. in Mark Furstenberg of Bread Furst (4434 Connecticut Ave. NW) in Van Ness. So don’t be surprised if the wait for your morning croissant or baguette gets a little longer in the coming days.

The only local chef to win a prestigious James Beard award in 2017, Furstenberg was named “Outstanding Baker” last night.

Furstenberg is no stranger to the D.C. market. He opened Bread Furst in 2014 and started the Marvelous Market chain of bakeries in 1990 (they have since all closed). He’s behind the BreadLine (1751 Pennsylvania Ave. NW), a staple among downtown lunchers, and you can also find his baked goods at area Whole Foods Markets. And Furstenberg only started baking professionally at age 52, proof that good bread knows no age limit and that these awards aren’t just for young guns.

Stephen Starr, who counts Le Diplomate (1601 14th St. NW) among his varied portfolio, won for best restaurateur. And Nora Pouillon, of the soon-to-close Restaurant Nora, received a lifetime achievement award

In total, six D.C. chefs and media professionals were among the finalists, including Pineapple & Pearls (715 8th St. SE) for Best New Restaurant, and Amy Brandwein of Centrolina (974 Palmer Alley NW) and Tom Cunanan of Bad Saint (3226 11th St. NW) for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.

See the full list of award winners here.