Postponed from March 25, the James Beard Foundation has finally announced the finalists for its annual awards.
The coronavirus pandemic, which has left millions unemployed, has devastated the hospitality industry, and the Twitter livestream announcing this year's nominees recognized the crisis. “Today we acknowledge the accomplishments of all of the people behind these restaurants, and the need for us all to fight for this industry that employs 16 million people and is a vital part of American culture,” the foundation tweeted.
Award categories not only included Restaurant and Chef Awards nominees, but also Media Awards nominees (Books, Broadcast, and Journalism), Design Awards nominees, and Leadership Awards honorees as well. The Humanitarian of the Year award, Lifetime Achievement award, and America’s Classics recipients were all previously announced. This year’s nominees include Kwame Onwuachi, Daniela Soto-Innes, Cassidee Dabney, Missy Robbins, Marc Vetri, David Chang, Roy Choi, Natasha Pickowicz, Jessica Koslow, Junghyun Park, and many, many more—Food & Wine’s own Ray Isle is also nominated, as is Besha Rodell for the World’s Best Restaurants package from Food & Wine and Travel + Leisure.
The winners for the Media Awards will be announced via press release Wednesday, May 27 in lieu of a physical ceremony. The Restaurant and Chef Awards winners will be announced Friday, September 25 from Chicago, also broadcast live via Twitter.
Read on for the full list, courtesy of the James Beard Foundation.
2020 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards
Best New Restaurant
A restaurant opened in the prior calendar year that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine and hospitality, and that is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.
Automatic Seafood & Oysters, Birmingham, AL
Demi, Minneapolis
Eem, Portland, OR
Fox & the Knife, Boston
Gado Gado, Portland, OR
Gianna, New Orleans
Kalaya, Philadelphia
Nightshade, Los Angeles
Pasjoli, Santa Monica, CA
Verjus, San Francisco
Outstanding Baker
A pastry chef or baker who demonstrates exceptional skill, integrity, and character in the preparation of desserts, pastries, or breads served in a retail bakery. Eligible candidates must have been working as a pastry chef or baker for the past five years.
Graison Gill, Bellegarde Bakery, New Orleans
Zachary Golper, Bien Cuit, NYC
Maura Kilpatrick, Sofra Bakery, Cambridge, MA
Lisa Ludwinski, Sister Pie, Detroit
Avery Ruzicka, Manresa Bread, Los Gatos, CA
Outstanding Bar Program
A restaurant or bar that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the selection, preparation, and serving of cocktails, spirits, and/or beer.
Anvil Bar & Refuge, Houston
Expatriate, Portland, OR
Kimball House, Decatur, GA
Lost Lake, Chicago
Trick Dog, San Francisco
Outstanding Chef
A chef who sets high culinary standards and who has served as a positive example for other food professionals. Eligible candidates must have been working as a chef for the past five years.
David Kinch, Manresa, Los Gatos, CA
Corey Lee, Benu, San Francisco
Donald Link, Herbsaint, New Orleans
Missy Robbins, Lilia, NYC
Ana Sortun, Oleana, Cambridge, MA
Marc Vetri, Vetri Cucina, Philadelphia
Outstanding Hospitality
A restaurant in operation for five or more years that demonstrates consistency and exceptional thoughtfulness in hospitality and service.
Brigtsen's, New Orleans
Canlis, Seattle
Saison, San Francisco
Swan Oyster Depot, San Francisco
Zingerman's Roadhouse, Ann Arbor, MI
Outstanding Pastry Chef
A pastry chef or baker who demonstrates exceptional skill, integrity, and character in the preparation of desserts, pastries, or breads served in a restaurant. Must have been working as a pastry chef or baker for the past five years.
Lincoln Carson, Bon Temps, Los Angeles
Juan Contreras, Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles
Diane Moua, Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis
Natasha Pickowicz, Flora Bar, NYC
Miro Uskokovic, Gramercy Tavern, NYC
Outstanding Restaurant
A restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, service, and operations. Eligible candidates must have been in business 10 or more consecutive years.
FIG, Charleston, SC
Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, CO
Jaleo, Washington, D.C.
Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix
Quince, San Francisco
Outstanding Restaurateur
A restaurateur who demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship and integrity in restaurant operations. Eligible candidates must have been in the restaurant business for at least 10 years and they must not have been nominated for a James Beard Foundation chef award in the past five years.
Paul Bartolotta, The Bartolotta Restaurants, Milwaukee (Ristorante Bartolotta, Harbor House, Lake Park Bistro, and others)
Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer, JK Food Group, Boston (Little Donkey, Toro, Coppa)
JoAnn Clevenger, Upperline Restaurant, New Orleans
Alex Raij and Eder Montero, NYC (La Vara, Saint Julivert Fisherie, Txikito)
Jason Wang, Xi'an Famous Foods, NYC
Outstanding Wine Program
A restaurant or bar that demonstrates excellence in wine service through a carefully considered wine list and a well-informed approach to helping customers choose and drink wine.
Bacchanal, New Orleans
Canard, Portland, OR
COTE, NYC
Miller Union, Atlanta
Night + Market Sahm, Venice, CA
Spiaggia, Chicago
Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Producer
A beer, wine, or spirits producer who demonstrates consistency and exceptional skill in his or her craft.
Scott Blackwell and Ann Marshall, High Wire Distilling Co., Charleston, SC
Cathy Corison, Corison Winery, St. Helena, CA
Drew Kulsveen, Willett Distillery, Bardstown, KY
Todd Leopold and Scott Leopold, Leopold Bros., Denver
Lance Winters, St. George Spirits, Alameda, CA
Rising Star Chef of the Year
A chef age 30 or younger, born on or after January 1 in the year occurring thirty years prior to the award year in which such chef is to be considered for the award (e.g., January 1, 1976 for candidates to be considered in awards year 2006), who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.
Will Aghajanian and Liz Johnson, The Catbird Seat, Nashville
Irene Li, Mei Mei, Boston
Gaby Maeda, State Bird Provisions, San Francisco
Ashleigh Shanti, Benne on Eagle, Asheville, NC
Paola Velez, Kith/Kin, Washington, D.C.
Jon Yao, Kato, Los Angeles
Best Chefs
Chefs who set high culinary standards and also demonstrate integrity and admirable leadership skills in their respective regions. A nominee may be from any kind of dining establishment but must have been working as a chef for at least five years, with the three most recent years spent in the region.
Best Chef: California
Jeremy Fox, Birdie G's, Santa Monica, CA
Brandon Jew, Mister Jiu's, San Francisco
Jessica Koslow, Sqirl, Los Angeles
Mourad Lahlou, Mourad, San Francisco
Joshua Skenes, Angler, San Francisco
Pim Techamuanvivit, Kin Khao, San Francisco
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
Jason Hammel, Lula Cafe, Chicago
Gene Kato, Momotaro, Chicago
Noah Sandoval, Oriole, Chicago
John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, Smyth, Chicago
Erick Williams, Virtue, Chicago
Lee Wolen, Boka, Chicago
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (D.C., DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
Amy Brandwein, Centrolina, Washington, D.C.
Nicholas Elmi, Laurel, Philadelphia
Rich Landau, Vedge, Philadelphia
Cristina Martinez, South Philly Barbacoa, Philadelphia
Jon Sybert, Tail Up Goat, Washington, D.C.
Cindy Wolf, Charleston, Baltimore
Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
Steven Brown, Tilia, Minneapolis
Michael Corvino, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Kansas City, MO
Michael Gallina, Vicia, St. Louis
Jamie Malone, Grand Café, Minneapolis
Christina Nguyen, Hai Hai, Minneapolis
Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)
Carrie Baird, Bar Dough, Denver
Jen Castle and Blake Spalding, Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm, Boulder, UT
Jeff Drew, Snake River Grill, Jackson, WY
Caroline Glover, Annette, Aurora, CO
Dana Rodriguez, Super Mega Bien, Denver
Kelly Whitaker, The Wolf's Tailor, Denver
Best Chef: New York State
Sean Gray, Momofuku Ko, NYC
Brooks Headley, Superiority Burger, NYC
Junghyun Park, Atomix, NYC
Daniela Soto-Innes, ATLA, NYC
Alex Stupak, Empellón, NYC
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
Vien Dobui, CÔNG TỬ BỘT, Portland, ME
Tiffani Faison, Orfano, Boston
Ben Jackson, Drifters Wife, Portland, ME
Krista Kern Desjarlais, The Purple House, North Yarmouth, ME
Greg Mitchell and Chad Conley, Palace Diner, Biddeford, ME
Cassie Piuma, Sarma, Somerville, MA
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)
Peter Cho, Han Oak, Portland, OR
Gregory Gourdet, Departure, Portland, OR
Chris Kajioka and Anthony Rush, Senia, Honolulu
Katy Millard, Coquine, Portland, OR
Kristen Murray, MÅURICE, Portland, OR
Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, Joule, Seattle
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, FL, LA, MS)
Jose Enrique, Jose Enrique, San Juan, PR
Kristen Essig and Michael Stoltzfus, Coquette, New Orleans
Michael Gulotta, Maypop, New Orleans
Mason Hereford, Turkey and the Wolf, New Orleans
Isaac Toups, Toups' Meatery, New Orleans
Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
Katie Button, Cúrate, Asheville, NC
Cassidee Dabney, The Barn at Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN
Cheetie Kumar, Garland, Raleigh, NC
Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Memphis
Julia Sullivan, Henrietta Red, Nashville
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)
Dan Krohmer, Other Mama, Las Vegas
Jonathan Perno, Campo at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
Chrysa Robertson, Rancho Pinot, Scottsdale, AZ
Silvana Salcido Esparza, Barrio Café Gran Reserva, Phoenix
Jeff Smedstad, Elote Cafe, Sedona, AZ
James Trees, Esther's Kitchen, Las Vegas
Best Chef: Texas
Kevin Fink, Emmer & Rye, Austin
Michael Fojtasek, Olamaie, Austin
Anita Jaisinghani, Pondicheri, Houston
Steve McHugh, Cured, San Antonio
Trong Nguyen, Crawfish & Noodles, Houston
2020 Leadership Award Honorees
Phillip and Dorathy E. Barker, Co-Founders, Operation Spring Plant, Inc. (OSP)
Rosalinda Guillen, Executive Director, Community to Community Development (C2C)
Abiodun Henderson, Executive Director, The Come Up Project featuring Gangstas to Growers
Mark and Kerry Marhefka, Owners, Abundant Seafood
Caleb Zigas, Executive Director, La Cocina
Humanitarian of the Year
Zero Foodprint
Lifetime Achievement
Jessica B. Harris
America’s Classics
Lassis Inn
Little Rock, AR
Owners: Elihue Washington Jr. and Maria Washington
Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth, MI
Owners: Al Zehnder, Susan Zehnder, and Martha Zehnder Shelton
Puritan Backroom
Manchester, NH
Owners: Arthur Pappas, Chris Pappas, and Eric Zink
Oriental Mart
Seattle
Owners: Mila Apostol and Joy Apostol
El Taco de Mexico
Denver
Owner: Sasha Zanabria
Vera’s Backyard Bar-B-Que
Brownsville, TX
Owner: Armando Vera