NEW ORLEANS – On May 4, what would have been the award’s 30th anniversary, the James Beard Foundation announced the finalists for the 2020 James Beard Awards.
“Over the past few months COVID-19 has upended the restaurant community in every facet,” said a press release from the foundation. “During this time the foundation has turned its attention to supporting the relief and rebuild efforts, postponing Awards activities to instead focus on the James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund, which to date has disbursed more than $4 million to independent, locally owned restaurants around the country.”
For many years, New Orleans chefs, mixologists and bakers have made the list and the city’s elite culinary players show no signs of slowing down. For the 2020 awards, New Orleans has 11 finalists in that number.
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
Gianna
OUTSTANDING BAKER
Graison Gill
Bellegarde Bakery
OUTSTANDING CHEF
Donald Link
Herbsaint
OUTSTANDING HOSPITALITY
Brigtsen’s
OUTSTANDING RESTAURANTEUR
JoAnn Clevenger
Upperline Restaurant
OUTSTANDING WINE PROGRAM
Bacchanal
BEST CHEF: SOUTH
Kristen Essig and Michael Stoltzfus
Coquette
Michael Gulotta
Maypop
Mason Hereford
Turkey and the Wolf
Isaac Toups
Toups’ Meatery
AUDIO REPORTING
Gravy – Mahalia Jackson’s Glori-Fried Chicken
Reporter: Betsy Shepherd
Click here to see the full lists of the 2020 finalists.
