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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

KIRO Radio Staff, Staff report