Hollywood has the Oscars, but food has the James Beard Awards. The annual prizes celebrate the best in dining across the United States–and Los Angeles typically gets its share of recognition. But when the James Beard Foundation announced the list of semifinalists, there weren’t quite as many local names as we’ve gotten used to seeing on the list.
Some favorites, like Sqirl and n/naka, picked up nominations again, but over all, there were only 15 semifinalists from the region, compared to last year’s 23. The long list gets winnowed down to final nominees announced at a March 27 ceremony, with the awards themselves handed out on May 6 in Chicago.
Here are all the local chefs and restaurants that made the cut:
Best Chef: West
Genet Agonafer, Meals by Genet, Los Angeles
Michael Cimarusti, Providence, Los Angeles
Travis Lett, Gjelina, Venice, CA
Niki Nakayama, n/naka, Los Angeles
Carlos Salgado, Taco María, Costa Mesa, CA
Kris Yenbamroong, Night + Market, Los Angeles
Jessica Koslow, Sqirl, Los Angeles
Jeremy Fox, Rustic Canyon, Santa Monica, CA
Rising Star Chef of the Year
Jonathan Yao, Kato, Los Angeles
Best New Restaurant
Bavel, Los Angeles
Majordomo, Los Angeles
Outstanding Wine Program
Night + Market, Los Angeles
Outstanding Service
n/naka, Los Angeles
Outstanding Restaurant
Park’s Barbeque, Los Angeles
Outstanding Pastry Chef
Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles
Outstanding Bar Program
Old Lighting, Marina del Rey
