The 2019 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards Nominees
Photo courtesy of The James Beard Foundation
For more than 30 years, The James Beard Foundation has been celebrating and highlighting the importance of food culture in the United States, giving chefs and other actors of the food scene “a voice and the tools they need to make the food world more delicious, diverse and sustainable”. Since its creation, its scholarship program has distributed almost $8 million in financial aid to talented students needing funds to pursue their food and beverage studies. Through the organization of unique dining experiences at the James Beard House in NYC and all around the United States, as well as conferences, summits, culinary labs and industry programs aimed at educating and addressing issues of the food system and culture, the James Beard Foundation has become a true platform for the culinary world, promoting “good food” and a better food world.
In 1991, the James Beard Foundation gave the first James Beard Foundation Awards, recognizing the talents and vision of chefs and other leaders making a difference on America’s food scene. These awards, which are held annually, cover nearly 60 categories, including Restaurants and Chefs, Restaurant Design and Media. The last media awards ceremony took place on Friday, April 26 in NYC: click herefor the full list of winners. The 2019 Leadership Awards will be held on Sunday, May 5 in Chicago and all the other winners will be revealed on Monday, May 6 during the James Beard Awards Gala, which will take place at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. In the meantime, see the full list of the 2019 Restaurant and Chef James Beard Awards nominees below:
Best New Restaurant “A restaurant opened in 2018 that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine and hospitality, and that is likely to make a significant impact in years to come” :
Angler, San Francisco
Atomix, NYC
Bavel, Los Angeles
Frenchette, NYC
Majordomo, Los Angeles
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. Must have been working as a pastry chef or baker for the past five years” :
Zachary Golper - Bien Cuit, NYC
Maura Kilpatrick - Sofra Bakery and Café, Cambridge, MA
Lisa Ludwinski - Sister Pie, Detroit
Avery Ruzicka - Manresa Bread, Los Gatos, CA
Greg Wade - Publican Quality Bread, Chicago
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” :
Bar Agricole, San Francisco
Dead Rabbit, NYC
Kimball House, Decatur, GA
Lost Lake, Chicago
Ticonderoga Club, Atlanta
Outstanding Chef “A chef who sets high culinary standards and who has served as a positive example for other food professionals. Must have been working as a chef for the past five years” :
Ashley Christensen - Poole’s Diner, Raleigh, NC
David Kinch – Manresa, Los Gatos, CA
Corey Lee, Benu, San Francisco
Donald Link – Herbsaint, New Orleans
Marc Vetri - Vetri Cucina, Philadelphia
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” :
Juan Contreras - Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
Kelly Fields - Willa Jean, New Orleans
Meg Galus - Boka, Chicago
Margarita Manzke - République, Los Angeles
Pichet Ong - Brothers and Sisters, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Restaurant “A restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, service, and operations. Must have been in business 10 or more consecutive years” :
Balthazar, NYC
FIG, Charleston, SC
Jaleo, Washington, D.C.
Quince, San Francisco
Zahav, Philadelphia
Outstanding Restaurateur “A restaurateur who demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship and integrity in restaurant operations. Must have been in the restaurant business for at least 10 years. Must not have been nominated for a James Beard Foundation chef award in the past five years” :
Hugh Acheson -Empire State South, Five & Ten, The National, and others -Atlanta
Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz - Boka Restaurant Group (Boka, Girl & the Goat, Momotaro, and others) - Chicago
JoAnn Clevenger – Upperline - New Orleans
Ken Oringer - Little Donkey, Toro, Uni, and others – Boston
Alex Raij and Eder Montero - La Vara, Txikito, Saint Julivert Fisherie, and others – NYC
Ellen Yin - High Street Hospitality Group (Fork, High Street on Market, High Street on Hudson) – Philadelphia
Outstanding Service “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
Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, CO
Saison, San Francisco
Swan Oyster Depot, San Francisco
Zingerman’s Roadhouse, Ann Arbor, MI
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 · Benu, San Francisco · Miller Union, Atlanta · Night + Market, Los Angeles · Spiaggia, Chicago
Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Producer “A beer, wine, or spirits producer who demonstrates consistency and exceptional skill in his or her craft”:
Cathy Corison - Corison Winery, St. Helena, CA
Ann Marshall and Scott Blackwell - High Wire Distilling Co., Charleston, SC
Steve Matthiasson - Matthiasson Wines, Napa, CA
Rob Tod - Allagash Brewing Company, Portland, ME
Lance Winters - St. George Spirits, Alameda, CA
Rising Star Chef of the Year “A chef age 30 or younger who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come” :
Ana Castro - Coquette, New Orleans
Alisha Elenz - MFK, Chicago
Alexander Hong - Sorrel, San Francisco
Jesse Ito - Royal Izakaya, Philadelphia
Kwame Onwuachi - Kith and Kin, Washington, D.C.
Jonathan Yao – Kato, Los Angeles
Best Chefs in America “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: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
Diana Dávila - Mi Tocaya Antojería, Chicago
Jason Hammel - Lula Café, Chicago
Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark - Parachute, Chicago
David Posey and Anna Posey - Elske, Chicago
Noah Sandoval – Oriole, Chicago
Lee Wolen – Boka, Chicago
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (D.C., DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
Amy Brandwein – Centrolina, Washington, D.C.
Tom Cunanan - Bad Saint, Washington, D.C.
Rich Landau – Vedge, Philadelphia
Cristina Martinez - South Philly Barbacoa, Philadelphia
Michael Corvino - Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Kansas City, MO
Michael Gallina – Vicia, St. Louis
Ann Kim - Young Joni, Minneapolis
Jamie Malone - Grand Café, Minneapolis
Christina Nguyen - Hai Hai, Minneapolis
Best Chef: New York City (Five Boroughs)
Sean Gray - Momofuku Ko
Brooks Headley - Superiority Burger
Daniela Soto-Innes – Atla
Alex Stupak - Empellón Midtown
Jody Williams and Rita Sodi - Via Carota
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY State, RI, VT)
Tiffani Faison - Tiger Mama, Boston
James Mark - North, Providence
Tony Messina – Uni, Boston
Cassie Piuma – Sarma, Somerville, MA
Benjamin Sukle – Oberlin, Providence
Best Chef: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY)
Peter Cho - Han Oak, Portland, OR
Katy Millard - Coquine, Portland, OR
Brady Williams - Canlis, Seattle
Justin Woodward - Castagna, Portland, OR
Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi – Joule, Seattle
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, FL, LA, MS)
Vishwesh Bhatt - Snackbar, Oxford, MS
Jose Enrique - Jose Enrique, San Juan, PR
Kristen Essig and Michael Stoltzfus – Coquette, New Orleans
Slade Rushing - Brennan’s, New Orleans
Isaac Toups - Toups’ Meatery, New Orleans
Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
Mashama Bailey - The Grey, Savannah, GA
Katie Button - Cúrate, Asheville, NC
Cassidee Dabney - The Barn at Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN
Ryan Smith – Staplehouse, Atlanta
Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman - Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Memphis
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, CO, NM, OK, TX, UT)
Charleen Badman – FnB, Scottsdale, AZ
Kevin Fink - Emmer & Rye, Austin
Michael Fojtasek – Olamaie, Austin
Bryce Gilmore - Barley Swine, Austin
Steve McHugh – Cured, San Antonio
Best Chef: West (CA, HI, NV)
Michael Cimarusti – Providence, Los Angeles
Jeremy Fox - Rustic Canyon, Santa Monica, CA
Jessica Koslow – Sqirl, Los Angeles
Travis Lett - Gjelina, Venice, CA
Joshua Skenes – Saison, San Francisco
The following honorees will accept their awards at the James Beard Awards Gala on May 6 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago:
2019 James Beard Foundation America’s Classic
Pho 79 - Garden Grove, CA - Owners: Tong Trần and Liễu Trần
Jim’s Steak & Spaghetti House - Huntington, WV - Owners: Jimmie Carder, Larry Tweel and Ron Tweel
A&A Bake & Double Roti Shop - Brooklyn, NY - Owners: Noel and Geeta Brown
Sehnert's Bakery & Bieroc Café - McCook, NE - Owners: Matt and Shelly Sehnert
Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse - Washington, D.C. - Owner: Paul Katinas
2019 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year
The Giving Kitchen: Non-profit that provides emergency assistance to food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources.
2019 James Beard Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award
Patrick O’Connell: multiple James Beard Award-Winning Chef; Chef & Owner, The Inn at Little Washington in Washington, VA
The James Beard Foundation is a national not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in New York City James Beard Foundation 167 West 12th Street New York, NY 10011 Website