James Beard: The Long List
Oh, the long list, aka the semifinalists, is out! The James Beard Foundation announced its 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists earlier this week, and the food world is all a Twitter or X or Threads or how about everyone is really excited? Now, mark your calendar for Wednesday, April 3, when the nominations will be announced here in DC. Yes, you hear right ... the nominations will be announced here in DC! So, stay tuned here for all the details on all those happenings (cause it's going to be so much fun!). But now, you've waited long enough. The 2024 DC Area James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists are:
Outstanding Restaurateur:
● Ashok Bajaj, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group (Rasika, Annabelle, Sababa, and others), Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton:
● Michael Rafidi, Albi, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Restaurant presented by Acqua Panna Natural Spring Water:
● 2941, Falls Church, VA
● Pineapple & Pearls, Washington, D.C.
Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water:
● Masako Morishita, Perry's, Washington, D.C.
Best New Restaurant:
(Establishments that have opened after September 30, 2023 can be considered for the 2025 Awards.)
● Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi, New York, NY (Not in DC but CHef Kwame is a DC Alum with a new restaurant opening in DC - See Coming Soon)
Outstanding Bakery:
● Pluma by Bluebird Bakery, Washington, D.C
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker:
● Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Hospitality presented by American Airlines:
● Fiola, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program:
● Tail Up Goat, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Bar:
● Service Bar, Washington, DC
All The Nominees for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
● Carlos Aparicio, El Chingon, Philadelphia, PA
● Angel Barreto, Anju, Washington, D.C.
● Najmieh Batmanglij and Christopher Morgan, Joon, Vienna, VA
● Amy Brandwein, Centrolina, Washington, D.C.
● Tony Conte, Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana, Darnestown, MD
● Dane DeMarco, Gass & Main, Haddonfield, NJ
● Nur-E Gulshan Rahman, Korai Kitchen, Jersey City, NJ
● Keem Hughley, Bronze, Washington, D.C.
● Jesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Philadelphia, PA
● Matt Kern, One Coastal, Fenwick Island, DE
● Kate Lasky and Tomasz Skowronski, Apteka, Pittsburgh, PA
● Esther Lee, Obelisk, Washington, D.C.
● Travis Milton, Hickory at Nicewonder Farm and Vineyards, Bristol, VA
● Harley Peet, Bas Rouge, Easton, MD
● Randy Rucker, River Twice, Philadelphia, PA
● Yuan Tang, Rooster & Owl, Washington, D.C.
● Omar Tate, Honeysuckle Provisions, Philadelphia, PA
● Kevin Tien, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
● Bootsaba Tongdee, Pusadee’s Garden, Pittsburgh, PA
● David Zamudio, Alma Cocina Latina, Baltimore, MD
Upcoming Awards announcements (dates may be subject to change):
● Wednesday, February 28, 2024: Restaurant and Chef America’s Classics Award winners
● Wednesday, April 3, 2024: Restaurant and Chef Awards nominees and Achievement Awards honorees (Lifetime Achievement, Humanitarian of the Year, and Leadership Awards) announced live at Waldorf Astoria Washington, D.C.
● Tuesday, April 30, 2024: Nominees for the James Beard Media Awards
The 2024 Awards ceremonies will be held in Chicago on the following dates:
● Saturday, June 8, 2024: Media Awards at Columbia College Chicago Student Center
● Sunday, June 9, 2024: Leadership Awards at The Dalcy
● Monday, June 10, 2024: Restaurant and Chef Awards at The Lyric Opera
The full list of 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists can be found on the James Beard Foundation website.
