A new year brings a fresh crop of talented chefs and restaurants nominated for the coveted James Beard Awards, an honor bestowed to only the industry’s very best. Winning a James Beard Award means instant prestige and respect, as these awards are thought of as the highest award possible in the food world.
Being a semifinalist is impressive, though this list will still be culled twice more before the winners are announced on May 4 at a gala in Chicago. Below is the full list of nominees, with links to all restaurants available for booking now on OpenTable. Congratulations to all the semifinalists!
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.
- Andrew Carmellini, Locanda Verde, NYC
- Ann Cashion, Johnny’s Half Shell, Washington, D.C.
- John Fleer, Rhubarb, Asheville, NC
- Nobuo Fukuda, Nobuo at Teeter House, Phoenix
- Sarah Grueneberg, Monteverde, Chicago
- Gavin Kaysen, Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis
- Melissa Kelly, Primo, Rockland, ME
- David Kinch, Manresa, Los Gatos, CA
- Christopher Kostow, The Restaurant at Meadowood, St. Helena, CA
- Corey Lee, Benu, San Francisco
- Ludo Lefebvre, Trois Mec, Los Angeles
- Donald Link, Herbsaint, New Orleans
- Maricel Presilla, Cucharamama, Hoboken, NJ
- Missy Robbins, Lilia, NYC
- Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon, Portland, OR
- Holly Smith, Cafe Juanita, Kirkland, WA
- Ana Sortun, Oleana, Cambridge, MA
- Vikram Sunderam, Rasika, Washington, D.C.
- Marc Vetri, Vetri Cucina, Philadelphia
- Justin Yu, Theodore Rex, Houston
Outstanding Hospitality
A restaurant in operation for five or more years that demonstrates consistency and exceptional thoughtfulness in hospitality and service.
- 15 Fox Place, Jersey City, NJ
- 1919, San Juan, PR
- Angus Barn Steakhouse, Raleigh, NC
- Black Trumpet Bistro, Portsmouth, NH
- Brigtsen’s, New Orleans
- Canlis, Seattle
- Chez Fonfon, Birmingham, AL
- Dominique Ansel Bakery, NYC
- HOBNOB, Racine, WI
- Hugo’s, Houston
- Kai, Phoenix
- Leon’s Fine Poultry & Oyster Shop, Charleston, SC
- Love Handle, Indianapolis
- Marcel’s, Washington, D.C.
- Mi Nidito Restaurant, Tucson, AZ
- Mistral, Boston
- Pekin Noodle Parlor, Butte, MT
- 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.
- Antonio Bachour, Bachour, Coral Gables, FL
- Neil Blazin, Driftwood Oven, Pittsburgh
- Lincoln Carson, Bon Temps, Los Angeles
- Ali and Kevin Cohane, Persephone, Jackson, WY
- Renae Connolly, Benedetto, Cambridge, MA
- Juan Contreras, Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
- Megan Garrelts, Rye, Leawood, KS
- Sylvia Gould, Kool Beanz Cafe, Tallahassee, FL
- Maggie Huff, Homewood, Dallas
- Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles
- Claudia Martinez, Tiny Lou’s, Atlanta
- Mimi Mendoza, Senia, Honolulu
- Diane Moua, Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis
- Natasha Pickowicz, Flora Bar, NYC
- Ricardo “Ricchi” Sanchez, Bullion, Dallas
- Emily Spurlin, Lula Cafe, Chicago
- Krystle Swenson, Crawford and Son, Raleigh, NC
- Katherine Thompson, Thompson Italian, Falls Church, VA
- Miro Uskokovic, Gramercy Tavern, NYC
- Country Velador, Super Chunk Sweets & Treats, Scottsdale, AZ
Outstanding Restaurant
A restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, service, and operations. Must have been in business 10 or more consecutive years.
- Boka, Chicago
- Bolete, Bethlehem, PA
- FIG, Charleston, SC
- Fore Street, Portland, ME
- Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, CO
- Hà VL, Portland, OR
- House of Prime Rib, San Francisco
- Jaleo, Washington, D.C.
- Kogi BBQ, Los Angeles
- Komi, Washington, D.C.
- La Morada, NYC
- Mai Lee, Brentwood, MO
- Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Miami
- Neptune Oyster, Boston
- Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix
- The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation, Houston
- Quince, San Francisco
- Restaurant Alma, Minneapolis
- SriPraPhai, NYC
- Sushi Den, Denver
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.
- 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
- Sameer Eid and Samy Eid, Birmingham, MI, and Detroit (Phoenicia, Forest, Leila)
- Benjamin Goldberg and Max Goldberg, Strategic Hospitality, Nashville (The Catbird Seat, The Patterson House, Henrietta Red, and others)
- Ruth Gresser, Pizzeria Paradiso, Washington, D.C. (Pizzeria Paradiso)
- Martha Hoover, Patachou Inc., Indianapolis (Café Patachou, Public Greens, Bar One Fourteen, and others)
- Jennifer Jasinski, Beth Gruitch, Crafted Concepts, Denver (Rioja, Bistro Vendôme, Stoic & Genuine, and others)
- Mike Mastro and Jeff Mastro, Prime Steak Concepts, Scottsdale, AZ (Dominick’s Steakhouse, Steak 44, Ocean 44)
- Thomas McNaughton, David Steele and David White, Ne Timeas Restaurant Group, San Francisco (Flour + Water, Central Kitchen, Trick Dog)
- Larry McGuire, McGuire Moorman Hospitality, Austin (Jeffrey’s, Perla’s, Pool Burger, and others)
- Jay McSharry, Portsmouth, NH (Jumpin’ Jay’s Fish Cafe, Vida Cantina, Moxy, and others)
- Ouita Michel, Ouita Michel Family of Restaurants, Lexington, KY (Holly Hill Inn, The Midway Bakery and Cafe, Honeywood, and others)
- Willy Ng, Magic Gourmet Trading, San Francisco (Koi Palace, Dragon Beaux, Palette Tea House)
- Akkapong “Earl” Ninsom, Portland, OR (Langbaan, PaaDee, Hat Yai)
- Steve Palmer, The Indigo Road, Charleston, SC (Indaco, The Macintosh, O-Ku Sushi, and others)
- Alex Raij and Eder Montero, NYC (La Vara, Saint Julivert Fisherie, Txikito)
- Cookie Till, Margate, NJ (Steve and Cookie’s, Ventnor No. 7311)
- Tracy Vaught, H Town Restaurant Group, Houston (Hugo’s, Xochi, Caracol, and others)
- 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
- Beholder, Indianapolis
- Canard, Portland, OR
- COTE, NYC
- Death & Taxes, Raleigh, NC
- element 47 at The Little Nell, Aspen, CO
- Flight Wine Bar, Washington, D.C.
- FnB, Scottsdale, AZ
- Great China, Berkeley, CA
- Grill 23, Boston
- haley.henry, Boston
- Le Caveau, Philadelphia
- L’Oursin, Seattle
- Lucky Palace, Bossier City, LA
- Miller Union, Atlanta
- The Morris, San Francisco
- Night + Market Sahm, Venice, CA
- Ops, NYC
- Rosie Cannonball, Houston
- Spiaggia, Chicago
Best New Restaurant
A restaurant opened in 2019 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
- Beit Rima, San Francisco
- The Blind Goat, Houston
- Cocina al Fondo, San Juan, PR
- Cultura, Asheville, NC
- Demi, Minneapolis
- Eem, Portland, OR
- Fox & the Knife, Boston
- Gado Gado, Portland, OR
- Gianna, New Orleans
- Golden Diner, NYC
- Il Nido, Seattle
- iNDO, St. Louis
- Kalaya, Philadelphia
- Kāwi, NYC
- Lazy Betty, Atlanta
- Nightshade, Los Angeles
- Oak Hill Café & Farm, Greenville, SC
- Pasjoli, Santa Monica, CA
- Rooster & Owl, Washington, D.C.
- Saffron De Twah, Detroit
- Salaryman, Dallas
- Squable, Houston
- Sunday Vinyl, Denver
- Tanám, Somerville, MA
- Thamee, Washington, D.C.
- Thattu, Chicago
- Tzuco, Chicago
- Vecina, Phoenix
- 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. Must have been working as a pastry chef or baker for the past five years.
- Kim Boyce, Bakeshop, Portland, OR
- Spencer Budros, Pistacia Vera, Columbus, OH
- Evrim Dogu and Evin Dogu, Sub Rosa Bakery, Richmond, VA
- Tova du Plessis, Essen Bakery, Philadelphia
- Graison Gill, Bellegarde Bakery, New Orleans
- Zachary Golper, Bien Cuit, NYC
- Clyde Greenhouse, Kessler Baking Studio, Dallas
- Don Guerra, Barrio Bread, Tucson, AZ
- Briana Holt, Tandem Coffee + Bakery, Portland, ME
- Maura Kilpatrick, Sofra Bakery, Cambridge, MA
- Ayako Kurokawa, Burrow, NYC
- Lisa Ludwinski, Sister Pie, Detroit
- Moshit Mizrachi-Gabbitas, Janjou Pâtisserie, Boise, ID
- David Norman, Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden, Austin
- Taylor Petrehn, 1900 Barker, Lawrence, KS
- Nathaniel Reid, Nathaniel Reid Bakery, Kirkwood, MO
- Avery Ruzicka, Manresa Bread, Los Gatos, CA
- Matt Tinder, Saboteur Bakery, Bremerton, WA
- Chris Wilkins, Root Baking Co., Atlanta
- Na Young Ma, Proof Bakery, Los Angeles
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
- The Atomic Lounge, Birmingham, AL
- The Baldwin Bar, Woburn, MA
- Bar Leather Apron, Honolulu
- Clavel Mezcaleria, Baltimore
- Colita, Minneapolis
- Existing Conditions, NYC
- Expatriate, Portland, OR
- Horse Inn, Lancaster, PA
- Kimball House, Decatur, GA
- La Factoría, San Juan, PR
- Las Almas Rotas, Dallas
- Leyenda, Brooklyn, NY
- Little Rituals, Phoenix
- Lost Lake, Chicago
- OTOTO, Los Angeles
- Novare Res Bier Café, Portland, ME
- Sugar House, Detroit
- Trick Dog, San Francisco
- Williams & Graham, Denver
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
- Jean Broillet IV, Tired Hands Brewing Company, Ardmore, PA
- Cathy Corison, Corison Winery, St. Helena, CA
- Brianne Day, Day Wines, Dundee, OR
- Austin Evans and Richard Patrick Jr., Cathead Distillery, Jackson, MS
- David Favela, Border X Brewing, San Diego
- Aaron Fox and Daniel de la Nuez, Forthave Spirits, NYC
- Deirdre Heekin, La Garagista Farm + Winery, Barnard, VT
- Nancy Irelan and Mike Schnelle, Red Tail Ridge Winery, Penn Yan, NY
- Marika Josephson and Aaron Kleidon, Scratch Brewing Company, Ava, IL
- Drew Kulsveen, Willett Distillery, Bardstown, KY
- Todd Leopold and Scott Leopold, Leopold Bros., Denver
- Steve Luke, Cloudburst Brewing, Seattle
- André Hueston Mack, Maison Noir Wines, McMinnville, OR
- Kim McPherson, McPherson Cellars, Lubbock, TX
- Stephen Paul, Hamilton Distillers, Tucson, AZ
- Yoshihiro Sako, Den Sake Brewery, Oakland, CA
- Jeffrey Stuffings and Michael Stuffings, Jester King Brewery, Austin
- Rutger de Vink, RdV Vineyards, Delaplane, VA
- 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.
- Will Aghajanian and Liz Johnson, The Catbird Seat, Nashville
- Angel Barreto, Anju, Washington, D.C.
- Nick Bognar, iNDO, St. Louis
- Trigg Brown, Win Son, Brooklyn, NY
- Ana Castro, Thalia, New Orleans
- Valerie Chang, ITAMAE, Miami
- Bria Downey, Clay Pigeon Food & Drink, Fort Worth, TX
- Alisha Elenz, mfk./Bar Biscay, Chicago
- Robbie Felice, Viaggio Ristorante, Wayne, NJ
- Rikki Giambruno, Hyacinth, St. Paul, MN
- Mariana Gonzalez-Trasvina, Bar ‘Cino, Newport, RI
- Jesse Ito, Royal Izakaya, Philadelphia
- Matthew Kammerer, Harbor House Inn, Elk, CA
- Zoë Kanan, Simon & The Whale, NYC
- Liz Kenyon, Rupee Bar, Seattle
- Jeanine Lamadieu, Yūgen, Chicago
- Irene Li, Mei Mei, Boston
- Gaby Maeda, State Bird Provisions, San Francisco
- Daniela Moreira, Timber Pizza Co., Washington, D.C.
- Henry Moso, Kabooki Sushi, Orlando, FL
- Shota Nakajima, Adana, Seattle
- Austin Nickel, Spuntino, Denver
- Johnny Ortiz, /Shed, La Madera, NM
- Lena Sareini, Selden Standard, Detroit
- Ashleigh Shanti, Benne on Eagle, Asheville, NC
- Kaitlin Steets, Theodore Rex, Houston
- Cassie Shortino, Tratto, Phoenix
- Maricela Vega, 8ARM, Atlanta
- 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
- Genet Agonafer, Meals by Genet, Los Angeles
- Kim Alter, Nightbird, San Francisco
- Val M. Cantu, Californios, San Francisco
- Rocío Camacho, La Diosa de los Moles, Paramount, CA
- Gabriela Cámara, Cala, San Francisco
- Josef Centeno, Orsa & Winston, Los Angeles
- Jeremy Fox, Birdie G’s, Santa Monica, CA
- Brandon Go, Hayato, Los Angeles
- Brandon Jew, Mister Jiu’s, San Francisco
- Jessica Koslow, Sqirl, Los Angeles
- Mourad Lahlou, Mourad, San Francisco
- Mei Lin, Nightshade, Los Angeles
- Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, Bavel, Los Angeles
- Niki Nakayama, n/naka, Los Angeles
- Brandon Rodgers and Ian Scaramuzza, In Situ, San Francisco
- Carlos Salgado, Taco María, Costa Mesa, CA
- Joshua Skenes, Angler, San Francisco
- James Syhabout, Commis, Oakland, CA
- Karen Taylor Waikiki, El Molino Central, Boyes Hot Springs, CA
- Pim Techamuanvivit, Kin Khao, San Francisco
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
- James Anderson, Ray Ray’s Hog Pit, Columbus, OH
- Abra Berens, Granor Farm, Three Oaks, MI
- Thai Dang, HaiSous, Chicago
- Brian Jupiter, Frontier, Chicago
- Gene Kato, Momotaro, Chicago
- Ji Hye Kim, Miss Kim, Ann Arbor, MI
- Jason Hammel, Lula Cafe, Chicago
- Andy Hollyday, Selden Standard, Detroit
- Allie La Valle-Umansky, Jeremy Umansky, and Kenny Scott, Larder Delicatessen & Bakery, Cleveland
- Abbi Merriss, Bluebeard, Indianapolis
- Ethan Pikas, Cellar Door Provisions, Chicago
- Noah Sandoval, Oriole, Chicago
- Ryan Santos, Please, Cincinnati
- John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, Smyth, Chicago
- James Rigato, Mabel Gray, Hazel Park, MI
- Mike Ransom, Ima, Detroit
- Mariya Russell, Kikkō, Chicago
- Sarah Welch, Marrow, Detroit
- Erick Williams, Virtue, Chicago
- Lee Wolen, Boka, Chicago
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (D.C., DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
- Victor Albisu, Poca Madre, Washington, D.C.
- Joey Baldino, Zeppoli, Collingswood, NJ
- Sunny Baweja, Lehja, Richmond, VA
- Amy Brandwein, Centrolina, Washington, D.C.
- Peter and Lisa Chang, Mama Chang, Fairfax, VA
- Zenebech Dessu, Zenebech Restaurant, Washington, D.C.
- Nicholas Elmi, Laurel, Philadelphia
- Christian Frangiadis, Spork, Pittsburgh
- Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer, Canal House Station, Milford, NJ
- Matthew Kern, Heirloom, Lewes, DE
- Rich Landau, Vedge, Philadelphia
- Danny Lee, Anju, Washington, D.C.
- Cristina Martinez, South Philly Barbacoa, Philadelphia
- Taylor Mason, Luca, Lancaster, PA
- Cagla Onal-Urel, Green Almond Pantry, Washington, D.C.
- Peter Prime, Cane, Washington, D.C.
- Dan Richer, Razza, Jersey City, NJ
- Jon Sybert, Tail Up Goat, Washington, D.C.
- Cindy Wolf, Charleston, Baltimore
- Wei Zhu, Chengdu Gourmet, Pittsburgh
Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
- Dane Baldwin, The Diplomat, Milwaukee
- Andrea Baumgardner, BernBaum’s, Fargo, ND
- Karen Bell, Bavette La Boucherie, Milwaukee
- Steven Brown, Tilia, Minneapolis
- Michael Corvino, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Kansas City, MO
- Daniel del Prado, Martina, Minneapolis
- Linda Duerr, The Restaurant at 1900, Mission Woods, KS
- Michael Gallina, Vicia, St. Louis
- Nicholas Goellner, The Antler Room, Kansas City, MO
- Vaughn Good, Fox and Pearl, Kansas City, MO
- Lona Luo, Lona’s Lil Eats, St. Louis
- Benjamin Maides, Au Courant Regional Kitchen, Omaha, NE
- Jamie Malone, Grand Café, Minneapolis
- Jesse Mendica, Olive + Oak, Webster Groves, MO
- Loryn Nalic, Balkan Treat Box, Webster Groves, MO
- Christina Nguyen, Hai Hai, Minneapolis
- Sean Pharr, Mint Mark, Madison, WI
- Joe Tripp, Harbinger, Des Moines, IA
- Hai Truong, Ngon Vietnamese Bistro, St. Paul, MN
- David Utterback, Yoshitomo, Omaha, NE
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
- Nick Fahs, David Barboza and Mike Blocher, Table X, Salt Lake City
- Caroline Glover, Annette, Aurora, CO
- Briar Handly, Handle, Park City, UT
- Duncan Holmes, Beckon, Denver
- Peggi Ince-Whiting, Kyoto Japanese Restaurant, Salt Lake City
- Suchada Johnson, Teton Thai, Teton Village, WY
- Sarah Kelly, Petite 4, Boise, ID
- Tommy Lee, Hop Alley, Denver
- Brother Luck, Four by Brother Luck, Colorado Springs, CO
- Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction, CO
- Cindhura Reddy, Spuntino, Denver
- Dana Rodriguez, Super Mega Bien, Denver
- Moudi Sbeity and Derek Kitchen, Laziz Kitchen, Salt Lake City
- Nick Steen, Walkers Grill, Billings, MT
- Dave Wells, Tasting Room at Chico Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Pray, MT
- Kelly Whitaker, The Wolf’s Tailor, Denver
- Luis Young, Penrose Room, Colorado Springs, CO
Best Chef: New York State
- Einat Admony, Balaboosta, NYC
- Albert Bartley, Top Taste, Kingston, NY
- Emma Bengtsson, Aquavit, NYC
- Nick Curtola, The Four Horsemen, NYC
- David DiBari, The Cookery, Dobbs Ferry, NY
- Eric Gao, O Mandarin, Hartsdale, NY
- Sean Gray, Momofuku Ko, NYC
- Brooks Headley, Superiority Burger, NYC
- Jenny Kwak, Haenyeo, NYC
- Chintan Pandya, Adda, NYC
- Kyo Pang, Kopitiam, NYC
- Junghyun Park, Atomix, NYC
- Carla Perez-Gallardo and Hannah Black, Lil’ Deb’s Oasis, Hudson, NY
- Erik Ramirez, Llama Inn, NYC
- Ann Redding and Matt Danzer, Uncle Boons, NYC
- Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli, Don Angie, NYC
- Daniela Soto-Innes, ATLA, NYC
- Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske, Wildair, NYC
- Alex Stupak, Empellón, NYC
- Helen You, Dumpling Galaxy, NYC
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
- Unmi Abkin, Coco & the Cellar Bar, Easthampton, MA
- Tyler Anderson, Millwright’s Restaurant, Simsbury, CT
- Tracy Chang, Pagu, Cambridge, MA
- Cara Chigazola Tobin, Honey Road, Burlington, VT
- Vien Dobui, CÔNG TỬ BỘT, Portland, ME
- Carl Dooley, The Table at Season to Taste, Cambridge, MA
- Tiffani Faison, Orfano, Boston
- Devin Finigan, Aragosta at Goose Cove, Deer Isle, ME
- Erin French, The Lost Kitchen, Freedom, ME
- Mayumi Hattori, The Club Car, Nantucket, MA
- Seizi Imura, Cafe Sushi, Cambridge, MA
- Ben Jackson, Drifters Wife, Portland, ME
- Krista Kern Desjarlais, The Purple House, North Yarmouth, ME
- James Mark, Big King, Providence
- Greg Mitchell and Chad Conley, Palace Diner, Biddeford, ME
- Ravin Nakjaroen, Long Grain, Camden, ME
- Cassie Piuma, Sarma, Somerville, MA
- David Vargas, Vida Cantina, Portsmouth, NH
- Derek Wagner, Nicks on Broadway, Providence
- Douglass Williams, MIDA, Boston
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)
- Chera Amlag, Hood Famous Cafe + Bar, Seattle
- Jay Blackinton, Hogstone’s Wood Oven, Orcas Island, WA
- Peter Cho, Han Oak, Portland, OR
- Logan Cox, Homer, Seattle
- Gregory Gourdet, Departure, Portland, OR
- Sun Hong, By Tae, Seattle
- Chris Kajioka and Anthony Rush, Senia, Honolulu
- Mitch Mayers, Sawyer, Seattle
- Katy Millard, Coquine, Portland, OR
- Sarah Minnick, Lovely’s Fifty Fifty, Portland, OR
- Kristen Murray, MÅURICE, Portland, OR
- Keiji Nakazawa, Sushi Sho, Waikiki Beach, HI
- Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro, Portland, OR
- Beau Schooler, In Bocca Al Lupo, Juneau, AK
- Sheldon Simeon, Lineage, Wailea, HI
- Mutsuko Soma, Kamonegi, Seattle
- Naoko Tamura, Shizuku, Portland, OR
- Aaron Verzosa, Archipelago, Seattle
- Chad White, Zona Blanca, Spokane, WA
- Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, Joule, Seattle
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, FL, LA, MS)
- Blake Aguillard and William “Trey” Smith, Saint-Germain, New Orleans
- Lindsay Autry, The Regional Kitchen & Public House, West Palm Beach, FL
- Timon Balloo, Balloo Restaurant, Miami
- Michael Beltran, Ariete, Coconut Grove, FL
- Bill Briand, Fisher’s Upstairs at Orange Beach Marina, Orange Beach, AL
- Paxx Caraballo Moll, Jungle BaoBao, San Juan, PR
- Derek Emerson, CAET, Ridgeland, MS
- Jose Enrique, Jose Enrique, San Juan, PR
- Kristen Essig and Michael Stoltzfus, Coquette, New Orleans
- Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer, Boia De, Miami
- Hao Gong, LUVI Restaurant, New Orleans
- Michael Gulotta, Maypop, New Orleans
- Mason Hereford, Turkey and the Wolf, New Orleans
- Timothy Hontzas, Johnny’s Restaurant, Homewood, AL
- Natalia Lucía Vallejo, Cocina al Fondo, San Juan, PR
- Duane Nutter, Southern National, Mobile, AL
- Niven Patel, Ghee, Miami
- Rafael Rios, Yeyo’s Mexican Grill, Bentonville, AR
- Austin Sumrall, White Pillars, Biloxi, MS
- Isaac Toups, Toups’ Meatery, New Orleans
Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
- Katie Button, Cúrate, Asheville, NC
- Gregory Collier, Uptown Yolk, Charlotte, NC
- Adam Cooke, Topsoil Kitchen & Market, Travelers Rest, SC
- Cassidee Dabney, The Barn at Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN
- Steven Devereaux Greene, Herons at The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Cary, NC
- Bryan Furman, B’s Cracklin’ Barbecue, Atlanta
- Josh Habiger, Bastion, Nashville
- Meherwan Irani, Chai Pani, Asheville, NC
- Kevin Johnson, The Grocery, Charleston, SC
- Philip Krajeck, FOLK, Nashville
- Joe Kindred, Kindred, Davidson, NC
- Cheetie Kumar, Garland, Raleigh, NC
- Jiyeon Lee and Cody Taylor, Heirloom Market BBQ, Atlanta
- Leonard Lewis, Bones, Atlanta
- Ricky Moore, Saltbox Seafood Joint, Durham, NC
- Annie Pettry, Decca, Louisville, KY
- Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Memphis, TN
- Julia Sullivan, Henrietta Red, Nashville
- Viviek Surti, Tailor, Nashville
- Shamil Velazquez, Delaney Oyster House, Charleston, SC
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)
- Lisa Becklund, Living Kitchen Farm & Dairy, Depew, OK
- Nicole Brisson, Locale, Las Vegas
- Jeff Chanchaleune, Gun Izakaya, Oklahoma City
- Alan Ji, Mott 32, Las Vegas
- Stephen Jones, The Larder + The Delta, Phoenix
- Bernie Kantak, Citizen Public House, Scottsdale, AZ
- Dan Krohmer, Other Mama, Las Vegas
- Shinji Kurita, Shinbay Omakase Room, Scottsdale, AZ
- Danielle Leoni, The Breadfruit & Rum Bar, Phoenix
- Maria Mazon, BOCA Tacos y Tequila, Tucson, AZ
- Josie and Teako Nunn, Sparky’s Burgers, Barbeque, & Espresso, Hatch, NM
- Fernando Olea, Sazón Restaurant, Sante Fe
- 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
- Samantha Sanz, Talavera, Scottsdale, AZ
- Jeff Smedstad, Elote Cafe, Sedona, AZ
- Kevin Snell, Amelia’s, Tulsa, OK
- Ryan Swanson, Kai, Gila River Indian Community, Chandler, AZ
- James Trees, Esther’s Kitchen, Las Vegas
Best Chef: Texas
- Dawn Burrell, Kulture, Houston
- Kevin Fink, Emmer & Rye, Austin
- Michael Fojtasek, Olamaie, Austin
- Alexandra Gates, Cochineal, Marfa, TX
- Manabu Horiuchi, Kata Robata, Houston
- Anita Jaisinghani, Pondicheri, Houston
- Molly McCook, Ellerbe Fine Foods, Fort Worth, TX
- Steve McHugh, Cured, San Antonio
- Aldo Mora, Cafe Central, El Paso, TX
- Trong Nguyen, Crawfish & Noodles, Houston
- Misti Norris, Petra and the Beast, Dallas
- Alex Paredes, Carnitas Lonja, San Antonio
- Esaul Ramos, 2M Smokehouse, San Antonio
- Regino Rojas, Revolver Taco Lounge, Dallas
- Teiichi Sakurai, Tei-An, Dallas
- Donny Sirisavath, Khao Noodle Shop, Dallas
- Norma Frances “Tootsie” Tomanetz, Snow’s BBQ, Lexington, TX
- Jason Vaughan, Nancy’s Hustle, Houston
- Iliana de la Vega, El Naranjo, Austin
- Laurie Williamson, Rancho Loma, Talpa, TX
