The air crackles with anticipation in the culinary cosmos because it's that time of year again: the James Beard Awards semifinalists have dropped! For chefs and restaurants, this is the moment dreams are forged, careers catapulted, and reservations booked faster than a hummingbird on espresso. So, who's made the cut this year? Buckle up, gourmands, because we're about to dive into the hottest talent pool in the food game.
More Than Just Awards: Celebrating Culinary Brilliance (and Deliciousness)
Forget your average award show. The James Beard Awards, presented by Capital One, are a beacon of excellence, recognizing not just culinary prowess but also a commitment to community, sustainability, and fostering a thriving, equitable food culture. Consider a nomination the culinary world's equivalent of an Oscar nod. From rising stars to seasoned veterans, these awards celebrate the entire culinary ecosystem, from nose-to-tail butcher shops to farm-to-table bistros and innovative food podcasts.
The Quest Begins: From Whispers to Nominees
So, how do culinary champions get a coveted Beard nomination? The process is rigorous, with judges and tastemakers trekking to restaurants across the country, visiting, meeting, and slurping their way through a grueling first round. Only the top five semifinalists in each category survive to become nominees, facing another round of rigorous scrutiny before finally reaching the pinnacle: the James Beard Awards ceremony in Chicago.
Meet the 2024 James Beard Restaurant Awards Semifinalists
With 22 categories spanning the culinary spectrum, this year's semifinalists are a diverse and dazzling bunch. We've got seasoned veterans going head-to-head with emerging talents. Stay tuned for the announcement of nominees in April, and mark your calendars for the big gala in June - it's going to be a culinary extravaganza fit for the gods.
Here is the full list of nominees:
Outstanding Restaurateur
Ashok Bajaj, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group (Rasika, Annabelle, Sababa, and others), Washington, D.C.
Itai Ben Eli and Itamar Levy, Sof Hospitality Group (Doris Metropolitan, Hamsa, and Bādolina Bakery & Café), Houston, TX
Kimball Brienza and Stephen Palmer, O-Ku Sushi, Charleston, SC
Marcos Carbajal, Carnitas Uruapan, Chicago, IL
Bryan Chunton and Pei Wei, Zaab Zaab and Zaab Zaab Talay, New York, NY
Ravi DeRossi, Overthrow Hospitality (Cadence, Etérea, Avant Garden, and others), New York, NY
Greg Dulan, Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen, Hotville Chicken, and DulanVILLE, Inglewood, CA
Laile Fairbairn, Locally Grown Restaurants (Snow City Cafe, South Restaurant + Coffeehouse, and Spenard Roadhouse), Anchorage, AK
Michael Gallina, Tara Gallina, and Aaron Martinez, Take Root Hospitality (Vicia, Winslow's Table, Bistro La Floraison, and others), St. Louis, MO
Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin, Cocina Chiwas and Tacos Chiwas, Tempe and Phoenix, AZ
Robert LeBlanc, LeBlanc + Smith (Sylvain, The Chloe, The Will & The Way, and others), New Orleans, LA
Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere, Baobab Fare, Detroit, MI
Nikki Ness Berglund and Ryan Nitschke, Luna Fargo, Sol Ave. Kitchen, Nova Eatery and others, Fargo, ND
Quynh-Vy and Yenvy Pham, Phở Bắc Súp Shop, Phởcific Standard Time, and The Boat, Seattle, WA
Nicolas Poilevey and Oliver Poilevey, Obelix, Le Bouchon, and Taqueria Chingón, Chicago, IL
I-Ho Pomeroy, I-Ho's Korean Grill, Bozeman, MT
Cara Stadler and Cecile Stadler, BaoBao Dumpling House, Tao Yuan Restaurant, and ZaoZe Cafe & Market, Portland, ME
Chris Viaud, Greenleaf, Ansanm, and Pavilion, Milford and Wolfeboro, NH
Hollis Wells Silverman, Eastern Point Collective (The Duck & The Peach, La Collina, The Wells, and others), Washington, D.C.
Erika Whitaker and Kelly Whitaker, Id Est Hospitality Group (The Wolf's Tailor, BRUTØ, Basta, and others), Boulder, CO
Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton
Oscar Amador Edo, Anima by EDO, Las Vegas, NV
Emma Bengtsson, Aquavit, New York, NY
Barclay Dodge, Bosq, Aspen, CO
Jeremy Fox, Birdie G's, Santa Monica, CA
Francis Guzmán, Vianda, San Juan, PR
Atsushi Hayakawa, Hayakawa, Atlanta, GA
Rashida Holmes, Bridgetown Roti, Los Angeles, CA
Dionicio Jiménez, Cantina La Martina, Philadelphia, PA
David Kirkland and Ernest Servantes, Burnt Bean Co., Seguin, TX
Dan Kluger, Loring Place, New York, NY
Gregory León, Amilinda, Milwaukee, WI
Sarah Minnick, Lovely's Fifty Fifty, Portland, OR
Sylvan Mishima Brackett, Rintaro, San Francisco, CA
Dean Neff, Seabird, Wilmington, NC
Daniel del Prado, Porzana, Minneapolis, MN
Michael Rafidi, Albi, Washington, D.C.
John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, Smyth, Chicago, IL
Renee Touponce, The Port of Call, Mystic, CT
David Uygur, Lucia, Dallas, TX
Aaron Verzosa, Archipelago, Seattle, WA
Outstanding Restaurant presented by Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water
2941, Falls Church, VA
Beckon, Denver, CO
Bywater, Warren, RI
The Compound, Santa Fe, NM
Convenience West, Marfa, TX
Coracora, West Hartford, CT
The DeBruce, Livingston Manor, NY
The Duck Inn, Chicago, IL
Koi Palace, Daly City, CA
Langbaan, Portland, OR
The Market Place, Asheville, NC
Mixtli, San Antonio, TX
Nancy's Hustle, Houston, TX
Pineapple & Pearls, Washington, D.C.
The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge Inn, Blowing Rock, NC
Selden Standard, Detroit, MI
Superiority Burger, New York, NY
Vestige, Ocean Springs, MS
The Walrus and the Carpenter, Seattle, WA
Yoshitomo, Omaha, NE
Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Mineral Water
Fariyal Abdullahi, Hav & Mar, New York, NY
Ope Amosu, ChòpnBlọk, Houston, TX
Janet Becerra, Pancita, Seattle, WA
Nikko Cagalanan, Kultura, Charleston, SC
Roberto Centeno, Espiritu, Mesa, AZ
Ki Chung, Bar Maze, Honolulu, HI
Rocky Coronado, Nepantla, Detroit, MI
Danielle Duran-Zecca and Alessandro Zecca, Amiga Amore, Los Angeles, CA
Ryan Fernandez, Southern Junction, Buffalo, NY
Yun Fuentes, Bolo, Philadelphia, PA
Sky Haneul Kim, Gift Horse, Providence, RI
Emily Lim, Dabao Singapore, San Francisco, CA
Zubair Mohajir, The Coach House by Wazwan, Chicago, IL
Masako Morishita, Perry's, Washington, D.C.
Joe Robbins, Bissell Brothers Three Rivers Kitchen, Milo, ME
Bryce Stevenson, Miijim, La Pointe, WI
Kenneth Wan, MAKfam, Denver, CO
Lawrence Weeks, North of Bourbon, Louisville, KY
Chanah Willis, Last Call Baking, Birmingham, AL
Jeff Workman, The Campground, Kansas City, MO
Best New Restaurant
Ajja, Raleigh, NC
Alkemē, Santa Fe, NM
The Alna Store, Alna, ME
Alpino, Detroit, MI
Atelier, Chicago, IL
Ava Bakery, Phoenix, AZ
Bar Bacetto, Waitsburg, WA
Barbs-B-Q, Lockhart, TX
Barra Santos, Los Angeles, CA
Chez Noir, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Comfort Kitchen, Dorchester, MA
Dakar NOLA, New Orleans, LA
Foul Witch, New York, NY
Foxface Natural, New York, NY
Hayward, McMinnville, OR
Jūn, Houston, TX
Kaya, Orlando, FL
Kiln, San Francisco, CA
Kisser, Nashville, TN
Lita, Aberdeen Township, NJ
Mainlander, St. Louis, MO
My Loup, Philadelphia, PA
Oro by Nixta, Minneapolis, MN
Ramen Del Barrio, Austin, TX
Sado, St. Louis, MO
Sắp Sửa, Denver, CO
Scoundrel, Greenville, SC
Shan, Bozeman, MT
Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi, New York, NY
Tuxpan Taqueria, Central Falls, RI
Outstanding Bakery
Bobby Boy Bakeshop, Winston-Salem, NC
Breadshop, Honolulu, HI
The Burque Bakehouse, Albuquerque, NM
La Casita Bakeshop, Richardson, TX
D'Andrews Bakery & Cafe, Nashville, TN
Gusto Bread, Long Beach, CA
Isgro Pastries, Philadelphia, PA
JinJu Patisserie, Portland, OR
Koffeteria, Houston, TX
Loba Pastry+Coffee, Chicago, IL
Make My Cake, New York, NY
Mel the Bakery, Hudson, NY
Nichole's Fine Pastry & Café, Fargo, ND
La Pâtisserie Chouquette, Saint Louis, MO
Pluma by Bluebird Bakery, Washington, D.C.
Shatila Bakery, Dearborn, MI
Table X Bread, Salt Lake City, UT
Vía Láctea, San Juan, PR
Zak the Baker, Miami, FL
ZU Bakery, Portland, ME
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
Jesus Brazon and Manuel Brazon, Caracas Bakery, Doral and Miami, FL
Mariela Camacho, Comadre Panadería, Austin, TX
Ben Campbell, Ben's Bread Co., Seattle, WA
Tania Cienfuegos Harris, Topsoil Kitchen & Market, Travelers Rest, SC
Kristina Costa, Loquat, San Francisco, CA
Syovata Edari, CocoVaa Chocolatier, Madison, WI
Atsuko Fujimoto, Norimoto Bakery, Portland, ME
Remy Funfrock, La Pâtisserie, Charleston, SC
Marc Heu, Marc Heu Pâtisserie Paris, St. Paul, MN
Crystal Kass, Valentine, Phoenix, AZ
Eunji Lee, Lysée, New York, NY
Kimmie Mcintosh and Josh Mcintosh, MILKFISH Bakeshop, Las Vegas, NV
Camari Mick, The Musket Room, New York, NY
Carolyn Nugent and Alen Ramos, Poulette Bakeshop, Parker, CO
Anna Posey, Elske, Chicago, IL
Phillip Ashley Rix, Phillip Ashley Chocolates, Memphis, TN
Nicole Rucker, Fat + Flour, Los Angeles, CA
Stephanie Velasquez, Ema HTX, Houston, TX
Kristina Zontini, Super Secret Ice Cream, Bethlehem, NH
Outstanding Hospitality presented by American Airlines
AlTayeb Restaurant, Dearborn, MI
Andreoli Italian Grocer, Scottsdale, AZ
Arnaud's, New Orleans, LA
La Baleine Café, Homer, AK
Bludorn, Houston, TX
Charleston, Baltimore, MD
Cooks & Soldiers, Atlanta, GA
Crawford and Son, Raleigh, NC
Fiola, Washington, D.C.
Gemma, Dallas, TX
Giusto, Newport, RI
Han Oak, Portland, OR
Lazy Bear, San Francisco, CA
Lula Cafe, Chicago, IL
Luv2eat Thai Bistro, Los Angeles, CA
Melba's, New York, NY
Pasture and Plenty, Madison, WI
Snake River Grill, Jackson, WY
Valter's Osteria, Salt Lake City, UT
Woodford Food & Beverage, Portland, ME
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
a.kitchen+bar, Philadelphia, PA
Affäre, Kansas City, MO
Bufalina, Austin, TX
COTE, New York, NY
Eight Row, Seattle, WA
Folk, Detroit, MI
haley.henry wine bar, Boston, MA
The Hope Farm, Fairhope, AL
Lula Drake Wine Parlour, Columbia, SC
Macchialina, Miami Beach, FL
Middle Brow, Chicago, IL
The Morris, San Francisco, CA
OK Omens, Portland, OR
Rebel Rebel, Somerville, MA
Spencer, Ann Arbor, MI
Strong Water Anaheim, Anaheim, CA
Sunday Vinyl, Denver, CO
Taconeta, El Paso, TX
Tail Up Goat, Washington, D.C.
Waxlight Bar à Vin, Buffalo, NY
Outstanding Bar
All Night Skate, Brooklyn, NY
Amalga Distillery, Juneau, AK
Barr Hill Cocktail Bar, Montpelier, VT
Bittersweet, Raleigh, NC
Bow & Arrow Brewing Co., Albuquerque, NM
Clavel Mezcaleria, Baltimore, MD
Courtland Club, Providence, RI
Double Chicken Please, New York, NY
Drastic Measures, Shawnee, KS
Edmund's Oast, Charleston, SC
Esters Wine Shop & Bar, Santa Monica, CA
Horn & Cantle Saloon, Big Sky, MT
Jewel of the South, New Orleans, LA
Little Rituals, Phoenix, AZ
Meteor, Minneapolis, MN
Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco, CA
Las Ramblas, Brownsville, TX
Scratch Brewing Company, Ava, IL
Service Bar, Washington, DC
Webb's City Cellar, St. Petersburg, FL
Best Chefs presented by Capital One (by region)
Best Chef: California
Diego Argoti, Poltergeist, Los Angeles, CA
C-Y Chia and Shane Stanbridge, Lion Dance Cafe, Oakland, CA
Geoff Davis, Burdell, Oakland, CA
Azalina Eusope, Azalina's, San Francisco, CA
Alex Garcia and Elvia Huerta, Evil Cooks, Los Angeles, CA
Rogelio Garcia, Auro, Calistoga, CA
Srijith "Sri" Gopinathan, Copra, San Francisco, CA
Dima Habibeh, Ammatoli, Long Beach, CA
Jeong-In Hwang, San Ho Won, San Francisco, CA
Jihee Kim, Perilla, Los Angeles, CA
Kristina Liedags Compton, Hilda and Jesse, San Francisco, CA
Alfonso "Poncho" Martinez, Poncho's Tlayudas, Los Angeles, CA
Lord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord, Los Angeles, CA
Tara Monsod, Animae, San Diego, CA
Buu "Billy" Ngo, Kru, Sacramento, CA
Laura Ozyilmaz and Sayat Ozyilmaz, Dalida, San Francisco, CA
Michael Procaccini and Stefano Procaccini, La Parolaccia, Long Beach, CA
Alisa Reynolds, My 2 Cents, Los Angeles, CA
Finn Stern, Daytrip, Oakland, CA
Christian Yang, Yang's Kitchen, Alhambra, CA
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
Avishar Barua, Joya's, Worthington, OH
Erik Bentz and Elaine Uykimpang Bentz, Cafe Mochiko, Cincinnati, OH
Vinnie Cimino, Cordelia, Cleveland, OH
Diana Dávila Boldin, Mi Tocaya Antojería, Chicago, IL
Salvador Fernandez, Bridges Craft Pizza & Wine Bar, Greencastle, IN
Joe Fontelera, Boonie's Filipino Restaurant, Chicago, IL
Joe Frillman, Daisies, Chicago, IL
Jeffery Harris, Nolia Kitchen, Cincinnati, OH
Doug Hewitt, Freya, Detroit, MI
Ji Hye Kim, Miss Kim, Ann Arbor, MI
Dan Klenotic, Bellflower, Ypsilanti, MI
BJ Lieberman, Chapman's Eat Market, Columbus, OH
James Martin, Bocadillo Market, Chicago, IL
Thomas Melvin, Vida, Indianapolis, IN
Jose Salazar, Mita's, Cincinnati, OH
Sujan Sarkar, Indienne, Chicago, IL
Hajime Sato, Sozai, Clawson, MI
Jenner Tomaska, Esme, Chicago, IL
John Yelinek, Ladder 4 Wine Bar, Detroit, MI
Donald Young, Duck Sel, Chicago, IL
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
Carlos Aparicio, El Chingon, Philadelphia, PA
Angel Barreto, Anju, Washington, D.C.
Najmieh Batmanglij and Christopher Morgan, Joon, Vienna, VA
Amy Brandwein, Centrolina, Washington, D.C.
Tony Conte, Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana, Darnestown, MD
Dane DeMarco, Gass & Main, Haddonfield, NJ
Nur-E Gulshan Rahman, Korai Kitchen, Jersey City, NJ
Keem Hughley, Bronze, Washington, D.C.
Jesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Philadelphia, PA
Matt Kern, One Coastal, Fenwick Island, DE
Kate Lasky and Tomasz Skowronski, Apteka, Pittsburgh, PA
Esther Lee, Obelisk, Washington, D.C.
Travis Milton, Hickory at Nicewonder Farm and Vineyards, Bristol, VA
Harley Peet, Bas Rouge, Easton, MD
Randy Rucker, River Twice, Philadelphia, PA
Cybille St.Aude-Tate and Omar Tate, Honeysuckle Provisions, Philadelphia, PA
Yuan Tang, Rooster & Owl, Washington, D.C.
Kevin Tien, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
Bootsaba Tongdee, Pusadee's Garden, Pittsburgh, PA
David Zamudio, Alma Cocina Latina, Baltimore, MD
Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
Sanaa Abourezk, Sanaa's Gourmet Mediterranean, Sioux Falls, SD
Ann Ahmed, Khâluna, Minneapolis, MN
Ross Bachhuber and Samuel Ek, Odd Duck, Milwaukee, WI
Andrea Baumgardner, BernBaum's, Fargo, ND
Lisa Carlson and Carrie Summer, Chef Shack Bay City, Bay City, WI
Rob Connoley, Bulrush, St. Louis, MO
Philip Day, Root Food + Wine, Augusta, MO
Chris Hoffmann, Clyde's Fine Diner, Des Moines, IA
Kenny Howard and Heath Stocks, Anima Cucina, Bismarck, ND
Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite, EsterEv, Milwaukee, WI
Kyle Knall, Birch, Milwaukee, WI
Johnny Leach, The Town Company, Kansas City, MO
Katie Liu-Sung, Chewology, Kansas City, MO
Romain Monnoyeur, Westport Cafe, Kansas City, MO
Loryn Nalic, Balkan Treat Box, Webster Groves, MO
Christina Nguyen, Hai Hai, Minneapolis, MN
Tim Nicholson, The Boiler Room, Omaha, NE
Rozz Petrozz, Saltwell Farm Kitchen, Overbrook, KS
Sean Pharr, Mint Mark, Madison, WI
Karyn Tomlinson, Myriel, St. Paul, MN
Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)
Joshua Adams, Campione, Livingston, MT
Theo Adley, Marigold, Lyons, CO
Salvador Alamilla, Amano, Caldwell, ID
Dan Ansotegui, Ansots, Boise, ID
Ben Barlow and Heather Logan, Stanley Supper Club, Stanley, ID
Erasmo Casiano and Diego Coconati, Lucina Eatery & Bar, Denver, CO
David Chon, Bar Nohm, Salt Lake City, UT
Brandon Cunningham, Social Haus, Greenough, MT
Aminata "Ami" Dia and Rougui Dia, Le French, Denver, CO
Charley Graham, Little Star Diner, Bozeman, MT
Walker Hunter, Brasserie Porte Rouge, Missoula, MT
Lee Johnson, MontAsia, Fishtail, MT
Dave Jones, Log Haven, Salt Lake City, UT
Jason King, King Sushi, Jackson, WY
Bo Porytko, Molotov Kitschen + Cocktails, Denver, CO
Ali Sabbah, Mazza Cafe, Salt Lake City, UT
Nick Steen Gullings, Walkers Grill, Billings, MT
Matt Vawter, Rootstalk, Breckenridge, CO
Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver, CO
Nick Zocco, Urban Hill, Salt Lake City, UT
Best Chef: New York State
Nasim Alikhani, Sofreh, Brooklyn, NY
Mary Attea, Musket Room, New York, NY
Ayo Balogun, Dept of Culture, Brooklyn, NY
Clare de Boer, Stissing House, Pine Plains, NY
Doris Choi, Good Night, Woodstock, NY
Calvin Eng, Bonnie's, Brooklyn, NY
Aretah Ettarh, Gramercy Tavern, New York, NY
Charles Gabriel, Charles Pan-Fried Chicken, New York, NY
Efrén Hernández, Casa Susanna, Leeds, NY
Luis Herrera, Ensenada, Brooklyn, NY
JJ Johnson, FieldTrip, New York, NY
Telly Justice, HAGS, New York, NY
Atsushi Kono, Kono, New York, NY
Shaina Loew-Banayan, Cafe Mutton, Hudson, NY
Chris Mauricio, Harana Market, Accord, NY
Charlie Mitchell, Cloverhill, Brooklyn, NY
Scarr Pimentel, Scarr's Pizza, New York, NY
Jeremy Salamon, Agi's Counter, Brooklyn, NY
Hillary Sterling, Ci Siamo, New York, NY
Ed Szymanski, Lord's, New York, NY
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
Celia Bruns, Artemisia Cafe, Portland, ME
Peter Carvelli, Foglia, Bristol, RI
Tracy Chang, Pagu, Cambridge, MA
Cara Chigazola Tobin, Honey Road, Burlington, VT
John daSilva, Chickadee, Boston, MA
Conor Dennehy, Tallula, Cambridge, MA
Subat Dilmurat, Jahunger, Providence, RI
Ian Driscoll, Bar Futo, Portland, ME
Patricia Estorino, Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar, Cambridge, MA
Lee Frank, Otis Restaurant, Exeter, NH
Valerie Goldman, The Honey Paw, Portland, ME
Cecelia Lizotte, Suya Joint, Boston, MA
Laurence Louie, Rubato, Quincy, MA
Maria Meza, Dolores, Providence, RI
Rachel Miller, Nightshade Noodle Bar, Lynn, MA
David Standridge, The Shipwright's Daughter, Mystic, CT
Jake Stevens, Leeward, Portland, ME
Micah Tavelli, Paradiso Hi-Fi, Burlington, VT
Andy Teixeira, Newport Vineyards, Middletown, RI
Basil Yu, Yagi Noodles, Newport, RI
Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)
Avery Adams, Matia Kitchen, Orcas Island, WA
Nathan Bentley, Altura Bistro, Anchorage, AK
Derek Bray, The Table, Tacoma, WA
Kristi Brown, Communion, Seattle, WA
Grayson Corrales, MariPili Tapas Bar, Seattle, WA
Michael Dodge, Whisky & Ramen, Anchorage, AK
Josh Dorcak, Mas, Ashland, OR
Gregory Gourdet, kann, Portland, OR
Dan Koommoo, Crafted, Yakima, WA
Andrew Le, The Pig and the Lady, Honolulu, HI
Evan Leichtling, Off Alley, Seattle, WA
Matthew Lightner, okta, McMinnville, OR
Melissa Miranda, Musang, Seattle, WA
Nae Ogawa, natuRe Waikiki, Honolulu, HI
Jason Peel, Nami Kaze, Honolulu, HI
Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro, Portland, OR
Jeff Scheer, Marlow, Pukalani, HI
Beau Schooler, In Bocca Al Lupo, Juneau, AK
Sheldon Simeon, Tiffany's, Wailuku, HI
Peter Vuong, Ha VL, Portland, OR
Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
Pete Amadhanirundr, Puma Yu's, Athens, GA
Arnaldo Castillo, Tio Lucho's, Atlanta, GA
Daryl Cooper and Oscar Johnson, Jimmy Pearls, Charlotte, NC
Erika Council, Bomb Biscuits, Atlanta, GA
Kitwanda "Kiki" Cyrus and Tyrone Cyrus, Kiki's Chicken and Waffles, Columbia, SC
Jamie Davis, The Hackney, Washington, NC
Jacques Larson, The Obstinate Daughter, Sullivan's Island, SC
Rod Lassiter and Parnass Savang, Talat Market, Atlanta, GA
Daris Leatherwood, Supper Club on 2nd, Memphis, TN
James London, Chubby Fish, Charleston, SC
Scott MacGregor, Appalachia Kitchen, Snowshoe, WV
Dallas McGarity, The Fat Lamb, Louisville, KY
Trevor Moran, Locust, Nashville, TN
Arnold Myint, International Market, Nashville, TN
Duane Nutter, Southern National, Atlanta, GA
Robbie Robinson, City Limits Barbeque, West Columbia, SC
Jason Sellers, Plant, Asheville, NC
Paul Smith, 1010 Bridge, Charleston, WV
Kanlaya "Gun" Supachana, Dalaya Thai Cuisine, Sylva, NC
Preeti Waas, Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, Raleigh, NC
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)
Melissa Araujo, Alma Cafe, New Orleans, LA
Kelsey Barnard Clark, KBC, Dothan, AL
Jennifer Berdin and Mark Berdin, Kadence, Orlando, FL
Valerie Chang, Maty's, Miami, FL
Clay Conley, Buccan, Palm Beach, FL
Matt Cooper, Conifer, Bentonville, AR
Tristen Epps, Ocean Social, Miami, FL
Hunter Evans, Elvie's, Jackson, MS
Ruben Guzman, Leña Eh Food Truck, San Juan, PR
Hardette Harris, Us Up North, Shreveport, LA
Gabriel Hernandez, Verde Mesa, San Juan, PR
Amarys Herndon and Jordan Herndon, Palm&Pine, New Orleans, LA
Rob McDaniel, Helen, Birmingham, AL
Henry Moso, Kabooki Sushi, Orlando, FL
Carlos Portela, Orujo, San Juan, PR
Arwen Rice, Red or White, Mobile, AL
Rafael Rios, Yeyo's El Alma de Mexico, Bentonville, AR
Sophina Uong, Mister Mao, New Orleans, LA
Arvinder Vilkhu, Saffron, New Orleans, LA
Marlon "Chicken" Williams, Chicken's Kitchen, Gretna, LA
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)
Rene Andrade, Bacanora, Phoenix, AZ
Christopher Bethoney, Campo at Los Poblanos, Albuquerque, NM
Annamaria Brezna O'Brien, Dolina Cafe and Bakery, Santa Fe, NM
Flavia Briones, Barista Del Barrio, Tucson, AZ
Pornsupak "Cat" Bunnag, Glai Baan, Phoenix, AZ
Jeff Chanchaleune, Ma Der Lao Kitchen, Oklahoma City, OK
Alexandre Figueira, Doctor Kustom, Tulsa, OK
DJ Flores, Milpa, Las Vegas, NV
Wendy Garcia, Tumerico, Tucson, AZ
Josefina Garcilazo, Chope's, La Mesa, NM
Sam Greenhalgh, Forêt, Flagstaff, AZ
Jordan Hawley, il seme, Tulsa, OK
Brian Howard, Sparrow + Wolf, Las Vegas, NV
Steve Kestler, Aroma Latin American Cocina, Henderson, NV
Marc Quinones, Level 5, Albuquerque, NM
Steve Riley, Mesa Provisions, Albuquerque, NM
Eduardo Rodriguez, Zacatlan, Santa Fe, NM
Jacque Siegfried, Natv, Broken Arrow, OK
Tabb Singleton, Phat Tabb's BBQ, Idabel, OK
Claudio Urciuoli, Source, Gilbert, AZ
Best Chef: Texas
Thomas Bille, Belly of the Beast, Spring, TX
Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Canje, Austin, TX
Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó, Houston, TX
Mark Clayton, Squable, Houston, TX
Christopher Cullum, Cullum's Attaboy, San Antonio, TX
Victoria Elizondo, Cochinita & Co., Houston, TX
Geoff Ellis, Mum Foods Smokehouse & Delicatessen, Austin, TX
Alexandra Gates, Cochineal, Marfa, TX
Joseph Gomez, Con Todo, Austin, TX
Andrew Ho, Andrew Samia, and Sean Wen, Curry Boys BBQ, San Antonio, TX
Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin, Best Quality Daughter, San Antonio, TX
Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, Birdie's, Austin, TX
Emiliano Marentes, Elemi, El Paso, TX
Misti Norris, Petra & the Beast, Dallas, TX
Fermín Nuñez, Suerte, Austin, TX
Ana Liz Pulido, Ana Liz Taqueria, Mission, TX
Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, José, Dallas, TX
Regino Rojas, Purépecha, Dallas, TX
Arnulfo Sánchez III, Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q, Grapevine, TX
Rich Vana, The Heritage Table, Frisco, TX
