The 2020 James Beard Award Semifinalists

JBF Editors

February 26, 2020

Breaking #jbfa news!

Announcing our 2020 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists! Read on for the semifinalists in all categories, from Outstanding Restaurant to Rising Star Chef. We'll announce the final Restaurant and Chef Award nominees, as well as the nominees for our Media and Restaurant Design Awards, in Philadelphia on Wednesday, March 25. The nominee announcement will begin at 9:00 A.M. ET and will be streamed live (check back soon for details). Nominees will also be announced in real time via our Twitter feed.

The 2020 James Beard Awards presented by Capital One will mark the 30th anniversary of America’s most coveted and comprehensive honors for chefs, restaurants, journalists, authors, and other leaders in the food and beverage industry. The 2020 James Beard Awards Gala will take place on Monday, May 4, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The 2020 Leadership Awards will be held on Sunday, May 3 in Chicago, and the 2020 Media Awards will take place on Friday, April 24, at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers in New York City. Tickets to both the Awards Gala and the Media Awards will be on sale beginning March 25 at jamesbeard.org/awards.

Best New Restaurant

Automatic Seafood & Oysters, Birmingham, AL
Beit Rima, San Francisco
The Blind Goat, Houston
cocina al fondo, San Juan, PR
Cultura, Asheville, NC
Demi, Minneapolis
Eem, Portland, OR
Fox & the Knife, Boston
Gado Gado, Portland, OR
Gianna, New Orleans
Golden Diner, NYC
Il Nido, Seattle
iNDO, St. Louis
Kalaya, Philadelphia
KĀWI, NYC
Lazy Betty, Atlanta
Nightshade, Los Angeles
Oak Hill Café & Farm, Greenville, SC
Pasjoli, Santa Monica, CA
Rooster & Owl, Washington, D.C.
Saffron De Twah, Detroit
Salaryman, Dallas
Squable, Houston
Sunday Vinyl, Denver
Tanám, Somerville, MA
Thamee, Washington, D.C.
Thattu, Chicago
Tzuco, Chicago
Vecina, Phoenix
Verjus, San Francisco

Outstanding Baker

Kim Boyce, Bakeshop, Portland, OR
Spencer Budros, Pistacia Vera, Columbus, OH
Evrim Dogu and Evin Dogu, Sub Rosa Bakery, Richmond, VA
Tova du Plessis, Essen Bakery, Philadelphia
Graison Gill, Bellegarde Bakery, New Orleans
Zachary Golper, Bien Cuit, Brooklyn, NY
Clyde Greenhouse, Kessler Baking Studio, Dallas
Don Guerra, Barrio Bread, Tucson, AZ
Briana Holt, tandem Coffee + bakery, Portland, ME
Maura Kilpatrick, Sofra Bakery, Cambridge, MA
Ayako Kurokawa, Burrow, Brooklyn, NY
Lisa Ludwinski, Sister Pie, Detroit
Moshit Mizrachi-Gabbitas, Janjou Pâtisserie, Boise, ID
David Norman, Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden, Austin
Taylor Petrehn, 1900 Barker Bakery and Cafe, Lawrence, KS
Nathaniel Reid, Nathaniel Reid Bakery, Kirkwood, MO
Avery Ruzicka, Manresa Bread, Los Gatos, CA
Matthew Tinder, Saboteur Bakery, Bremerton, WA
Christopher Wilkins, Root Baking Co., Atlanta
Na Young Ma, Proof Bakery, Los Angeles

Outstanding Bar Program

Anvil Bar & Refuge, Houston
The Atomic Lounge, Birmingham, AL
The Baldwin Bar, Woburn, MA
Bar Leather Apron, Honolulu
Clavel Mezcaleria, Baltimore
Colita, Minneapolis
Existing Conditions, NYC
Expatriate, Portland, OR
Horse Inn, Lancaster, PA
Kimball House, Decatur, GA
La Factoría, San Juan, PR
Las Almas Rotas, Dallas
Leyenda, Brooklyn, NY
Little Rituals, Phoenix
Lost Lake, Chicago
OTOTO, Los Angeles
Novare Res Bier Café, Portland, ME
The Sugar House, Detroit
Trick Dog, San Francisco
Williams & Graham, Denver

Outstanding Chef (Presented by All-Clad Metalcrafters)

Andrew Carmellini, The Dutch, NYC
Ann Cashion, Johnny's Half Shell, Washington, D.C.
John Fleer, Rhubarb, Asheville, NC
Nobuo Fukuda, Nobuo at Teeter House, Phoenix
Sarah Grueneberg, Monteverde Restaurant, Chicago
Gavin Kaysen, Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis
Melissa Kelly, Primo, Rockland, ME
David Kinch, Manresa, Los Gatos, CA
Christopher Kostow, The Restaurant at Meadowood, St. Helena, CA
Corey Lee, Benu, San Francisco
Ludo Lefebvre, Trois Mec, Los Angeles
Donald Link, Herbsaint Restaurant, New Orleans
Maricel Presilla, Cucharamama, Hoboken, NJ
Missy Robbins, Lilia, Brooklyn, NY
Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon, Portland, OR
Holly Smith, Cafe Juanita, Kirkland, WA
Ana Sortun, Oleana, Cambridge, MA
Vikram Sunderam, Rasika, Washington, D.C.
Marc Vetri, Vetri Cucina, Philadelphia
Justin Yu, Theodore Rex, Houston

Outstanding Hospitality (Presented by American Airlines)

15 Fox Place, Jersey City, NJ
1919 Restaurant, San Juan, PR
The Angus Barn Steakhouse, Raleigh, NC
Black Trumpet, Portsmouth, NH
Brigtsen's, New Orleans
Canlis, Seattle
Chez Fonfon, Birmingham, AL
Dominique Ansel Bakery, NYC
HOBNOB, Racine, WI
Hugo's, Houston
Kai, Phoenix
Leon’s Fine Poultry & Oyster Shop, Charleston, SC
Love Handle, Indianapolis
Marcel's by Robert Wiedmaier, Washington, D.C.
Mi Nidito Restaurant, Tucson, AZ
Mistral, Boston
Pekin Cafe & Lounge, Butte, MT
Saison, San Francisco
Swan Oyster Depot, San Francisco
Zingerman's Roadhouse, Ann Arbor, MI

Outstanding Pastry Chef (Presented by Lavazza)

Antonio Bachour, Bachour, Coral Gables, FL
Neil Blazin, Driftwood Oven, Pittsburgh
Lincoln Carson, Bon Temps, Los Angeles
Ali and Kevin Cohane, Persephone, Jackson, WY
Renae Connolly, Benedetto, Cambridge, MA
Juan Contreras, Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
Megan Garrelts, Rye, Leawood, KS
Sylvia Gould, Kool Beanz Cafe, Tallahassee, FL
Maggie Huff, Homewood, Dallas
Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles
Claudia Martinez, Tiny Lou's, Atlanta
Mimi Mendoza, Senia, Honolulu
Diane Moua, Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis
Natasha Pickowicz, Flora Bar, NYC
Ricardo "Ricchi" Sanchez, Bullion Restaurant, Dallas
Emily Spurlin, Lula Cafe, Chicago
Krystle Swenson, Crawford & Son, Raleigh, NC
Katherine Thompson, Thompson Italian, Falls Church, VA
Miro Uskokovic, Gramercy Tavern, NYC
Country Velador, Super Chunk Sweets & Treats, Scottsdale, AZ

Outstanding Restaurant (Presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water)

Boka, Chicago
Bolete, Bethlehem, PA
FIG, Charleston, SC
Fore Street, Portland, ME
Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, CO
Hà VL, Portland, OR
House of Prime Rib, San Francisco
Jaleo, Washington, D.C.
Kogi BBQ, Los Angeles
Komi, Washington, D.C.
La Morada, NYC
Mai Lee Restaurant, Brentwood, MO
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, Miami
Neptune Oyster, Boston
Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation, Houston
Quince, San Francisco
Restaurant Alma, Minneapolis
SriPraPhai, NYC
Sushi Den, Denver

Outstanding Restaurateur (Presented by Magellan Corporation)

Paul Bartolotta, The Bartolotta Restaurants, Milwaukee (Ristorante Bartolotta, Harbor House, Lake Park Bistro, and others)
Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer, JK Food Group, Boston (Little Donkey, Toro, Coppa)
JoAnn Clevenger, Upperline Restaurant, New Orleans
Sameer Eid and Samy Eid, Birmingham, MI, and Detroit (Phoenicia, Forest, Leila)
Benjamin Goldberg and Max Goldberg, Strategic Hospitality, Nashville (The Catbird Seat, The Patterson House, Henrietta Red, and others)
Ruth Gresser, Pizzeria Paradiso, Washington, D.C. (Pizzeria Paradiso)
Martha Hoover, Patachou Inc., Indianapolis (Café Patachou, Public Greens, Bar One Fourteen, and others)
Jennifer Jasinski, Beth Gruitch, Crafted Concepts, Denver (Rioja, Bistro Vendôme, Stoic & Genuine, and others)
Mike Mastro and Jeff Mastro, Prime Steak Concepts, Scottsdale, AZ (Dominick’s Steakhouse, Steak 44, Ocean 44)
Thomas McNaughton, David Steele and David White, Ne Timeas Restaurant Group, San Francisco (Flour + Water, Central Kitchen, Trick Dog, and others)
Larry McGuire and Tom Moorman, McGuire Moorman Hospitality, Austin (Jeffrey's, Perla’s, Pool Burger, and others)
James McSharry, Portsmouth, NH (Jumpin' Jay's Fish Cafe, Vida Cantina, Moxy, and others)
Ouita Michel, Ouita Michel Family of Restaurants, Lexington, KY (Holly Hill Inn, The Midway Bakery and Cafe, Honeywood, and others)
Willy Ng, Magic Gourmet Trading, San Francisco (Koi Palace, Dragon Beaux, Palette Tea House)
Akkapong Ninsom, Portland, OR (Langbaan, PaaDee, Hat Yai)
Steve Palmer, The Indigo Road, Charleston, SC (Indaco, The Macintosh, O-Ku Sushi, and others)
Alex Raij and Eder Montero, NYC (La Vara, Saint Julivert Fisherie, Txikito)
Cookie Till, Margate, NJ (Steve and Cookie's and No. 7311)
Tracy Vaught, H-Town Restaurant Group, Houston (Hugo's, Xochi, Caracol, and others)
Jason Wang, Xi'an Famous Foods, NYC

Outstanding Wine Program

Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits, New Orleans
Beholder, Indianapolis
Canard, Portland, OR
Cote Korean Steakhouse, NYC
Death & Taxes, Raleigh, NC
element 47 at The Little Nell, Aspen, CO
Flight Wine Bar, Washington, D.C.
FnB Restaurant, Scottsdale, AZ
Great China, Berkeley, CA
Grill 23 & Bar, Boston
haley.henry wine bar, Boston
Le Caveau, Philadelphia
L'Oursin, Seattle
Lucky Palace Restaurant, Bossier City, LA
Miller Union, Atlanta
The Morris, San Francisco
NIGHT + MARKET Sahm, Venice, CA
Ops, NYC
Rosie Cannonball, Houston
Spiaggia, Chicago

Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Producer

Scott Blackwell and Ann Marshall, High Wire Distilling Co., Charleston, SC
Jean Broillet, Tired Hands Brewing Company, Ardmore, PA
Cathy Corison, Corison Winery, St. Helena, CA
Brianne Day, Day Wines, Dundee, OR
Austin Evans and Richard Patrick, Cathead Distillery, Jackson, MS
David Favela, Border X Brewing, San Diego
Aaron Fox and Daniel de la Nuez, Forthave Spirits, Brooklyn, NY
Deirdre Heekin, La garagista Farm + Winery, Barnard, VT
Nancy Irelan and Mike Schnelle, Red Tail Ridge Winery, Penn Yan, NY
Marika Josephson and Aaron Kleidon, Scratch Brewing Company, Ava, IL
Drew Kulsveen, Willett Distillery, Bardstown, KY
Todd Leopold and Scott Leopold, Leopold Bros., Denver
Steve Luke, Cloudburst Brewing, Seattle
André Hueston Mack, Maison Noir Wines, McMinnville, OR
Kim McPherson, McPherson Cellars, Lubbock, TX
Amanda and Stephen Paul, (Whiskey Del Bac) by HAMILTON DISTILLERS, Tucson, AZ
Yoshihiro Sako, Den Sake Brewery, Oakland, CA
Jeffrey Stuffings and Michael Stuffings, Jester King Brewery & Kitchen, Austin
Rutger de Vink, RdV Vineyards, Delaplane, VA
Lance Winters, St. George Spirits, Alameda, CA

Rising Star Chef of the Year (Presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water)

Will Aghajanian and Liz Johnson, The Catbird Seat, Nashville
Angel Barreto, Anju, Washington, D.C.
Nicholas Bognar, iNDO, St. Louis
Trigg Brown, Win Son, Brooklyn, NY
Ana Castro, Thalia, New Orleans
Valerie Chang, Itamae, Miami
Bria Downey, Clay Pigeon Food and Drink, Fort Worth, TX
Alisha Elenz, mfk./Bar Biscay, Chicago
Robbie Felice, Viaggio Ristorante, Wayne, NJ
Rikki Giambruno, Hyacinth, St. Paul, MN
Mariana Gonzalez-Trasvina, Bar 'Cino, Newport, RI
Jesse Ito, Royal Izakaya, Philadelphia
Matthew Kammerer, The Harbor House Inn, Elk, CA
Zoë Kanan, Simon & The Whale, NYC
Liz Kenyon, Rupee Bar, Seattle
Jeanine Lamadieu, Yūgen, Chicago
Irene Li, Mei Mei, Boston
Gaby Maeda, State Bird Provisions, San Francisco
Daniela Moreira, Timber Pizza Co., Washington, D.C.
Henry Moso, Kabooki Sushi, Orlando, FL
Shota Nakajima, Adana, Seattle
Austin Nickel, Spuntino, Denver
Johnny Ortiz, / Shed, La Madera, NM
Lena Sareini, Selden Standard, Detroit
Ashleigh Shanti, Benne on Eagle, Asheville, NC
Kaitlin Steets, Theodore Rex, Houston
Cassie Shortino, Tratto, Phoenix
Maricela Vega, 8ARM, Atlanta
Paola Velez, Kith/Kin, Washington, D.C.
Jon Yao, Kato, Los Angeles

Best Chefs (Presented by Capital One)

Best Chef: California

Genet Agonafer, Meals by Genet, Los Angeles
Kim Alter, Nightbird, San Francisco
Val Cantu, Californios, San Francisco
Rocío Camacho, La Diosa de los Moles, Paramount, CA
Gabriela Cámara, Cala, San Francisco
Josef Centeno, Orsa & Winston, Los Angeles
Jeremy Fox, Birdie G's, Santa Monica, CA
Brandon Go, Hayato, Los Angeles
Brandon Jew, Mister Jiu's, San Francisco
Jessica Koslow, Sqirl, Los Angeles
Mourad Lahlou, Mourad, San Francisco
Mei Lin, Nightshade, Los Angeles
Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, Bavel, Los Angeles
Niki Nakayama, n/naka, Los Angeles
Brandon Rodgers and Ian Scaramuzza, In Situ, San Francisco
Carlos Salgado, Taco María, Costa Mesa, CA
Joshua Skenes, Angler, San Francisco
James Syhabout, Commis, Oakland, CA
Karen Taylor Waikiki, El Molino Central, Boyes Hot Springs, CA
Pim Techamuanvivit, Kin Khao, San Francisco

Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)

James Anderson, Ray Ray's Hog Pit, Columbus, OH
Abra Berens, Granor Farm, Three Oaks, MI
Thai Dang, HaiSous, Chicago
Brian Jupiter, Frontier, Chicago
Gene Kato, Momotaro Restaurant and Izakaya, Chicago
Ji Hye Kim, Miss Kim Korean Restaurant, Ann Arbor, MI
Jason Hammel, Lula Cafe, Chicago
Andy Hollyday, Selden Standard, Detroit
Allie La Valle-Umansky, Jeremy Umansky, and Kenny Scott, Larder Delicatessen & Bakery, Cleveland
Abbi Merriss, Bluebeard, Indianapolis
Ethan Pikas, Cellar Door Provisions, Chicago
Noah Sandoval, Oriole, Chicago
Ryan Santos, Please, Cincinnati
John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, Smyth, Chicago
James Rigato, Mabel Gray, Hazel Park, MI
Mike Ransom, ima, Detroit
Mariya Russell, Kikkō, Chicago
Sarah Welch, Marrow, Detroit
Erick Williams, Virtue, Chicago
Lee Wolen, Boka, Chicago

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (D.C., DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)

Victor Albisu, Poca Madre, Washington, D.C.
Joey Baldino, Zeppoli, Collingswood, NJ
Sandeep "Sunny" Baweja, Lehja, Richmond, VA
Amy Brandwein, Centrolina, Washington, D.C.
Peter and Lisa Chang, Mama Chang, Fairfax, VA
Zenebech Dessu, Zenebech Restaurant, Washington, D.C.
Nicholas Elmi, Laurel, Philadelphia
Christian Frangiadis, Spork, Pittsburgh
Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer, Canal House Station, Milford, NJ
Matthew Kern, Heirloom, Lewes, DE
Rich Landau, Vedge, Philadelphia
Danny Lee, Anju, Washington, D.C.
Cristina Martinez, South Philly Barbacoa, Philadelphia
Taylor Mason, LUCA, Lancaster, PA
Cagla Onal-Urel, Green Almond Pantry, Washington, D.C.
Peter Prime, Cane, Washington, D.C.
Dan Richer, Razza, Jersey City, NJ
Jon Sybert, Tail Up Goat, Washington, D.C.
Cindy Wolf, Charleston, Baltimore
Wei Zhu, Chengdu Gourmet, Pittsburgh

Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)

Dane Baldwin, The Diplomat, Milwaukee
Andrea Baumgardner, BernBaum's, Fargo, ND
Karen Bell, Bavette La Boucherie, Milwaukee
Steven Brown, Tilia, Minneapolis
Michael Corvino, Corvino Supper Club & Tasting Room, Kansas City, MO
Daniel del Prado, Martina, Minneapolis
Linda Duerr, The Restaurant at 1900, Mission Woods, KS
Michael Gallina, Vicia, St. Louis
Nicholas Goellner, The Antler Room, Kansas City, MO
Vaughn Good, Fox and Pearl, Kansas City, MO
Lona Luo, Lona's Lil Eats, St. Louis
Benjamin Maides, Au Courant Regional Kitchen, Omaha, NE
Jamie Malone, Grand Café, Minneapolis
Jesse Mendica, Olive + Oak, Webster Groves, MO
Loryn Nalic, Balkan Treat Box, Webster Groves, MO
Christina Nguyen, Hai Hai, Minneapolis
Sean Pharr, Mint Mark, Madison, WI
Joe Tripp, Harbinger, Des Moines, IA
Hai Truong, Ngon Vietnamese Bistro, St. Paul, MN
David Utterback, Yoshitomo, Omaha, NE

Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)

Carrie Baird, Bar Dough, Denver
Jennifer Lyn Castle and Blake Spalding, Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm, Boulder, UT
Jeff Drew, Snake River Grill, Jackson, WY
Nick Fahs, David Barboza and Mike Blocher, Table X Restaurant, Salt Lake City
Caroline Glover, Annette, Aurora, CO
Briar Handly, HANDLE, Park City, UT
Duncan Holmes, Beckon, Denver
Peggi Ince-Whiting, Kyoto Japanese Restaurant, Salt Lake City
Suchada Johnson, Teton Thai, Teton Village, WY
Sarah Kelly, Petite 4, Boise, ID
Tommy Lee, Hop Alley, Denver
Brother Luck, Four by Brother Luck, Colorado Springs, CO
Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction, CO
Cindhura Reddy, Spuntino, Denver
Dana Rodriguez, Super Mega Bien, Denver
Moudi Sbeity and Derek Kitchen, Laziz Kitchen, Salt Lake City
Nick Steen, Walkers Grill, Billings, MT
Dave Wells, Tasting Room at Chico Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Pray, MT
Kelly Whitaker, The Wolf's Tailor, Denver
Luis Young, Penrose Room, Colorado Springs, CO

Best Chef: New York State

Einat Admony, Balaboosta, NYC
Albert Bartley, Top Taste, Kingston, NY
Emma Bengtsson, Aquavit, NYC
Nick Curtola, The Four Horsemen, NYC
David DiBari, The Cookery, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Eric Gao, O Mandarin, Hartsdale, NY
Sean Gray, Momofuku Ko, NYC
Brooks Headley, Superiority Burger, NYC
Jenny Kwak, Haenyeo, NYC
Chintan Pandya, Adda, NYC
Kyo Pang, Kopitiam, NYC
Junghyun Park, atomix, NYC
Carla Perez-Gallardo and Hannah Black, Lil’ Deb's Oasis, Hudson, NY
Erik Ramirez, Llama Inn, NYC
Ann Redding and Matt Danzer, Uncle Boons, NYC
Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli, Don Angie, NYC
Daniela Soto-Innes, ATLA, NYC
Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske, Wildair, NYC
Alex Stupak, Empellón, NYC
Helen You, Dumpling Galaxy, NYC

Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

Unmi Abkin, Coco and the Cellar Bar, Easthampton, MA
Tyler Anderson, Millwright's Restaurant, Simsbury, CT
Tracy Chang, PAGU, Cambridge, MA
Cara Chigazola Tobin, Honey Road, Burlington, VT
Vien Dobui, CÔNG TỬ BỘT, Portland, ME
Carl Dooley, The Table at Season to Taste, Cambridge, MA
Tiffani Faison, Orfano, Boston
Devin Finigan, Aragosta at Goose Cove, Deer Isle, ME
Erin French, The Lost Kitchen, Freedom, ME
Mayumi Hattori, The Club Car, Nantucket, MA
Seizi Imura, Cafe Sushi, Cambridge, MA
Ben Jackson, Drifters Wife, Portland, ME
Krista Kern Desjarlais, The Purple House, North Yarmouth, ME
James Mark, big king, Providence
Greg Mitchell and Chad Conley, Palace Diner, Biddeford, ME
Ravin Nakjaroen, Long Grain, Camden, ME
Cassie Piuma, Sarma, Somerville, MA
David Vargas, Vida Cantina, Portsmouth, NH
Derek Wagner, Nicks on Broadway, Providence
Douglass Williams, MIDA, Boston

Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)

Chera Amlag, Hood Famous Cafe + Bar, Seattle
Jay Blackinton, Hogstone, Orcas Island, WA
Peter Cho, Han Oak, Portland, OR
Logan Cox, Homer, Seattle
Gregory Gourdet, Departure Restaurant and Lounge, Portland, OR
Sun Hong, By Tae, Seattle
Chris Kajioka and Anthony Rush, Senia, Honolulu
Mitch Mayers, Sawyer, Seattle
Katy Millard, Coquine, Portland, OR
Sarah Minnick, Lovely's Fifty Fifty, Portland, OR
Kristen Murray, MÅURICE LUNCHEONETTE, Portland, OR
Keiji Nakazawa, Sushi Sho, Waikiki Beach, HI
Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro, Portland, OR
Beau Schooler, In Bocca Al Lupo, Juneau, AK
Sheldon Simeon, Lineage, Wailea, HI
Mutsuko Soma, Kamonegi, Seattle
Naoko Tamura, Shizuku by Chef Naoko, Portland, OR
Aaron Verzosa, Archipelago, Seattle
Chad White, Zona Blanca, Spokane, WA
Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, Joule, Seattle

Best Chef: South (AL, AR, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, FL, LA, MS)

Blake Aguillard and Trey Smith, Saint-Germain, New Orleans
Lindsay Autry, The REGIONAL Kitchen & Public House, West Palm Beach, FL
Timon Balloo, Balloo Restaurant, Miami
Michael Beltran, Ariete, Coconut Grove, FL
Bill Briand, Fisher's at Orange Beach Marina, Orange Beach, AL
Paxx Caraballo Moll, Jungle BaoBao, San Juan, PR
Derek Emerson, CAET Seafood and Oysterette, Ridgeland, MS
Jose Enrique, Jose Enrique, San Juan, PR
Kristen Essig and Michael Stoltzfus, Coquette, New Orleans
Luciana Giangrandi and Alex Meyer, Boia De, Miami
Hao Gong, LUVI Restaurant, New Orleans
Michael Gulotta, Maypop, New Orleans
Mason Hereford, Turkey and the Wolf, New Orleans
Timothy Hontzas, Johnny's Restaurant, Homewood, AL
Natalia Lucía Vallejo Rivera, cocina al fondo, San Juan, PR
Duane Nutter, Southern National, Mobile, AL
Niven Patel, Ghee Indian Kitchen, Miami
Rafael Rios, Yeyo's, Bentonville, AR
Austin Sumrall, White Pillars Restaurant and Lounge, Biloxi, MS
Isaac Toups, Toups' Meatery, New Orleans

Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)

Katie Button, Cúrate, Asheville, NC
Gregory Collier, Uptown Yolk, Charlotte, NC
Adam Cooke, Topsoil Kitchen & Market, Travelers Rest, SC
Cassidee Dabney, The Barn at Blackberry Farm, Walland, TN
Steven Devereaux Greene, Herons, Cary, NC
Bryan Furman, B's Cracklin' BBQ, Atlanta
Josh Habiger, Bastion, Nashville
Meherwan Irani, Chai Pani, Asheville, NC
Kevin Johnson, The Grocery, Charleston, SC
Philip Krajeck, FOLK, Nashville
Joe Kindred, Kindred, Davidson, NC
Cheetie Kumar, Garland, Raleigh, NC
Jiyeon Lee and Cody Taylor, Heirloom Market BBQ, Atlanta
Leonard Lewis, Bones, Atlanta
Ricky Moore, SALTBOX Seafood Joint, Durham, NC
Annie Pettry, Decca, Louisville, KY
Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Memphis, TN
Julia Sullivan, Henrietta Red, Nashville
Vivek Surti, Tailor, Nashville
Shamil Velazquez, Delaney Oyster House, Charleston, SC

Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)

Lisa Becklund, Living Kitchen Farm & Dairy, Depew, OK
Nicole Brisson, Locale, Las Vegas
Jeff Chanchaleune, Gun Izakaya, Oklahoma City
Alan Ji, Mott32, Las Vegas
Stephen Jones, the larder + the delta, Phoenix
Bernie Kantak, Citizen Public House, Scottsdale, AZ
Dan Krohmer, Other Mama, Las Vegas
Shinji Kurita, Shinbay Omakase Room, Scottsdale, AZ
Danielle Leoni, The Breadfruit & Rum Bar, Phoenix
Maria Mazon, BOCA Tacos y Tequila, Tucson, AZ
Josie and Teako Nunn, Sparky's Burgers BBQ and Espresso, Barbeque, & Espresso, Hatch, NM
Fernando Olea, Sazón Restaurant, Santa Fe
Jonathan Perno, Campo at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
Chrysa Robertson, Rancho Pinot, Scottsdale, AZ
Silvana Salcido Esparza, Barrio Café Gran Reserva, Phoenix
Samantha Sanz, Talavera Restaurant, Scottsdale, AZ
Jeff Smedstad, Elote Cafe, Sedona, AZ
Kevin Snell, Amelia's Wood Fired Cuisine, Tulsa, OK
Ryan Swanson, Kai, Gila River Indian Community, Chandler, AZ
James Trees, Esther's Kitchen, Las Vegas