NEW YORK (press release) – The James Beard Foundation announced today the winners of the 2024 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards presented by Capital One, honoring excellence across the culinary industry, from fine dining to casual gems in our communities, while also supporting and encouraging a more sustainable industry. The full list of winners can be found below and on the James Beard Foundation website.
The winners were announced during a live ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago co-hosted by Nyesha Arrington, chef, restaurateur and co-host of FOX’s “Next Level Chef”; Richard Blais, chef, James Beard Award–nominated author and co-host of FOX’s “Next Level Chef”; Amanda Freitag, chef, author, and judge on Food Network’s “Chopped”; and Marcus Samuelsson, James Beard Award–winning chef, restaurateur and author.
“Tonight, we raise a glass to the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Award winners for their phenomenal achievements,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation. “These remarkable individuals embody the very essence of our Good Food for Good ethos, showcasing exceptional talent, unwavering dedication to their craft, and a steadfast commitment to elevating the industry. With their passion, skill, and leadership, they are shaping our nation’s dining landscape and setting a new standard for culinary excellence.”
“Congratulations to the 2024 Restaurant and Chef winners on this well-deserved recognition” said Dawn Padmore, VP of Awards, James Beard Foundation. “I also extend a big thanks to our subcommittee and judges for their dedication to the Awards.
“The James Beard Awards present an invaluable opportunity to acknowledge the work of our industry,” addedTanya Holland, Chair of the James Beard Awards Committee and member of the James Beard Foundation Board of Trustees. “I am so proud to be part of the work that the Foundation is doing, and I’m excited to continue celebrating the best of the best in our industry.”
“On behalf of the Restaurant and Chef Awards Subcommittee, congratulations to the 2024 winners. We are thrilled to honor this exceptional group of culinary leaders and look forward to seeing their continued contribution to our industry,” said Restaurant and Chef Awards Subcommittee Co-Chairs, Lauren Saria and Allecia Vermillion. “Thank you for sharing your talent and passion—and for all you are doing to push our food culture forward.”
The voting process for all Restaurant and Chef Awards can be found here, and the criteria and eligibility for each category can be found on the Awards’ policies and procedures page, as well as here.
2024 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Winners
The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards celebrate excellence across a range of experiences, from fine-dining establishments to casual gems, and emerging talents to established luminaries, while supporting and encouraging a more sustainable industry. Established in 1990, with the first ceremony taking place in 1991, the Restaurant and Chef Awards is one of five separate recognition programs for the Awards. The 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards winners are recognized across 22 categories.
The 2024 Restaurant and Chef Winners are:
Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton: A chef who sets high culinary standards and has served as a positive example for other food professionals, while contributing positively to their broader community.
- Michael Rafidi, Albi, Washington, D.C
Outstanding Restaurateur: A restaurateur who uses their establishment(s) as a vehicle for building community, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship and integrity in restaurant operations, and is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture, while contributing positively to their broader community.
- Erika Whitaker and Kelly Whitaker, ID EST (The Wolf’s Tailor, BRUTØ, Basta, and others), Boulder, CO
Outstanding Restaurant presented by Acqua PannaⓇ Natural Spring Water: A restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community.
- Langbaan, Portland, OR
Emerging Chef presented by S.PellegrinoⓇ Sparkling Natural Mineral Water: A chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come, while contributing positively to their broader community.
- Masako Morishita, Perry’s, Washington, D.C.
Best New Restaurant presented by Clover from Fiserv: A restaurant opened between October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community, and seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come.
- Dakar NOLA, New Orleans, LA
Outstanding Bakery: A baker of breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community.
- ZU Bakery, Portland, ME
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: A pastry chef or baker who makes desserts, pastries, or breads who demonstrates exceptional skills while contributing positively to their broader community.
- Atsuko Fujimoto, Norimoto Bakery, Portland, ME
Outstanding Hospitality presented by American Airlines: A restaurant, bar, or other food and drinking establishment that fosters a sense of hospitality among its customers and staff, that serves as a beacon for the community and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community.
- Lula Cafe, Chicago, IL
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: A restaurant that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the pairing of wine and other beverages with food while contributing positively to its broader community.
- Lula Drake Wine Parlour, Columbia, SC
Outstanding Bar: A wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, coffee bar, or any other business whose primary offering is beverage and that demonstrates consistent excellence in curating a selection or in the preparation of drinks, along with outstanding atmosphere, hospitality and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community.
- Jewel of the South, New Orleans, LA
Regional Best Chefs presented by Capital One: Chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities, and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions, while contributing positively to their broader community.
Best Chef: California
- Lord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord, Los Angeles, CA
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
- Hajime Sato, Sozai, Clawson, MI
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
- Harley Peet, Bas Rouge, Easton, MD
Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
- Christina Nguyen, Hai Hai, Minneapolis, MN
Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)
- Matt Vawter, Rootstalk, Breckenridge, CO
Best Chef: New York State
- Charlie Mitchell, Clover Hill, Brooklyn, NY
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
- David Standridge, The Shipwright’s Daughter, Mystic, CT
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)
- Gregory Gourdet, kann, Portland, OR
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)
- Valerie Chang, Maty’s, Miami, FL
Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
- Paul Smith, 1010 Bridge, Charleston, WV
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)
- Rene Andrade, Bacanora, Phoenix, AZ
Best Chef: Texas
- Ana Liz Pulido, Ana Liz Taqueria, Mission, TX
