AUSTIN, Texas — The James Beard Foundation has announced its 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists – and some Austin-area restaurants and chefs are among them.
The James Beard Foundation describes itself as a nonprofit whose mission is to "celebrate, support and elevate the people behind America's food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity and sustainability." The nonprofit, which was established more than 30 years ago, is based in New York City.
The semifinalists list has been released ahead of the James Beard Awards ceremony later this year. Nominees will be announced on April 3, and the ceremony will be held on June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The award categories include Outstanding Restauranteur, Outstanding Chef, Outstanding Restaurant, Emerging Chef, Best New Restaurant and more. There are also categories for the "Best Chef" in 12 geographical regions of the U.S., with Texas counted as its own region.
This year, several Austin-area restaurants and chefs have been named semifinalists in a number of different categories.
Barbs-B-Q in Lockhart and Ramen Del Barrio in Austin have been announced as a Best New Restaurant semifinalists.
Mariela Camacho of Comadre Panadería in Austin is a semifinalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker, and Austin's Bufalina is among the semifinalists for the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program.
Finally, five Austin chefs have been announced as semifinalists for the Best Chef: Texas category. They are Tavel Bristol-Joseph of Canje, Geoff Ellis of Mum Foods Smokehouse & Delicatessen, Joseph Gomez of Con Todo, Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel of Birdie's and Fermín Nuñez of Suerte.
Last year, Joe's Bakery & Coffee Shop in East Austin took home a James Beard Award in the 2023 Restaurant and Chef America's Classics category.