The annual event will culminate with a ceremony scheduled for June 10 in Chicago. | Photo by Eliesa Johnson.
The James Beard Foundation award season has begun for 2024.
The foundation on Wednesday unveiled the 2024 semifinalists for the much-coveted restaurant and chef awards. It’s the first round in a process that will lead to finalists being revealed on April 3—that’s when nominees should start shopping for the finery they plan to wear on June 10, when winners will be celebrated at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.
For independent restaurant operators, this among the many accolades in the industry is particularly meaningful, though sometimes fraught with drama. The foundation in recent years has attempted to completely overhaul the selection process to better promote equity, inclusion and positive work culture.
“We are thrilled for the return of the James Beard Awards—recognizing the outstandingly talented leaders making their mark on American food,” said Clare Reichenbach, the foundation’s CEO. “As we’ve heard time and time again from honorees, receiving this recognition has the potential to be truly transformative—and so the awards remain a vital platform for supporting and elevating the independent restaurant industry as a whole.”
Here is the list of semifinalists across a few of the categories. For a full list, visit the Beard foundation website:
Outstanding Restaurateur:
- Ashok Bajaj, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group (Rasika, Annabelle, Sababa, and others), Washington, D.C.
- Itai Ben Eli and Itamar Levy, Sof Hospitality Group (Doris Metropolitan, Hamsa, and Bādolina Bakery & Café), Houston, Texas
- Kimball Brienza and Stephen Palmer, O-Ku Sushi, Charleston, S.C.
- Marcos Carbajal, Carnitas Uruapan, Chicago
- Bryan Chuntan and Pei Wei, Zaab Zaab and Zaab Zaab Talay, New York City
- Ravi DeRossi, Overthrow Hospitality (Cadence, Etérea, Avant Garden, and others), New York City
- Greg Dulan, Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen, Hotville Chicken, and Dulanville, Inglewood, Calif.
- Laile Fairbairn, Locally Grown Restaurants (Snow City Cafe, South Restaurant + Coffeehouse, and Spenard Roadhouse), Anchorage, Alaska
- Michael Gallina, Tara Gallina, and Aaron Martinez, Take Root Hospitality (Vicia, Winslow's Table, Bistro La Floraison, and others), St. Louis, Mo.
- Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin, Cocina Chiwas and Tacos Chiwas, Tempe and Phoenix
- Robert LeBlanc, LeBlanc + Smith (Sylvain, The Chloe, The Will & The Way, and others), New Orleans
- Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere, Baobab Fare, Detroit
- Nikki Ness Berglund and Ryan Nitschke, Luna Fargo, Sol Ave. Kitchen, Nova Eatery and others, Fargo, N.D.
- Quynh-Vy and Yenvy Pham, Phở Bắc Súp Shop, Phởcific Standard Time, and The Boat, Seattle.
- Nicolas Poilevey and Oliver Poilevey, Obelix, Le Bouchon, and Taqueria Chingón, Chicago.
- I-Ho Pomeroy, I-Ho's Korean Grill, Bozeman, Mont.
- Cara Stadler and Cecile Stadler, BaoBao Dumpling House, Tao Yuan Restaurant, and ZaoZe Cafe & Market, Portland, Maine.
- Chris Viaud, Greenleaf, Ansanm, and Pavilion, Milford, N.H.
- Hollis Wells Silverman, Eastern Point Collective (The Duck & The Peach, La Collina, The Wells and others), Washington, D.C.
- Kelly Whitaker, Id Est Hospitality Group (The Wolf's Tailor, BRUTØ, Basta, and others), Boulder, Colo.
Outstanding Chef:
- Oscar Amador Edo, Anima by EDO, Las Vegas
- Emma Bengtsson, Aquavit, New York City
- Barclay Dodge, Bosq, Aspen, Colo.
- Jeremy Fox, Birdie G’s, Santa Monica, Calif.
- Francis Guzmán, Vianda, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Atsushi Hayakawa, Hayakawa, Atlanta, Ga.
- Rashida Holmes, Bridgetown Roti, Los Angeles
- Dionicio Jiménez, Cantina La Martina, Philadelphia
- David Kirkland and Ernest Servantes, Burnt Bean Co., Seguin, Texas
- Dan Kluger, Loring Place, New York City
- Gregory León, Amilinda, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Sarah Minnick, Lovely’s Fifty Fifty, Portland, Ore.
- Sylvan Mishima Brackett, Rintaro, San Francisco
- Dean Neff, Seabird, Wilmington, N.C.
- Daniel del Prado, Porzana, Minneapolis
- Michael Rafidi, Albi, Washington, D.C.
- John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, Smyth, Chicago
- Renee Touponce, The Port of Call, Mystic, Conn.
- David Uygur, Lucia, Dallas
- Aaron Verzosa, Archipelago, Seattle
Outstanding Restaurant:
- 2941, Falls Church, Va.
- Beckon, Denver
- Bywater, Warren, R.I.
- The Compound, Santa Fe, N.M.
- Convenience West, Marfa, Texas
- Coracora, West Hartford, Conn.
- The DeBruce, Livingston Manor, N.Y.
- The Duck Inn, Chicago
- Koi Palace, Daly City, Calif.
- Langbaan, Portland, Ore.
- The Market Place, Asheville, N.C.
- Mixtli, San Antonio, Texas
- Nancy’s Hustle, Houston
- Pineapple & Pearls, Washington, D.C.
- The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge Inn, Blowing Rock, N.C.
- Selden Standard, Detroit.
- Superiority Burger, New York City.
- Vestige, Ocean Springs, Miss.
- The Walrus and the Carpenter, Seattle
- Yoshitomo, Omaha, Neb.
Emerging Chef:
- Fariyal Abdullahi, Hav & Mar, New York City
- Ope Amosu, ChòpnBlọk, Houston
- Janet Becerra, Pancita, Seattle
- Nikko Cagalanan, Kultura, Charleston, S.C.
- Roberto Centeno, Espiritu, Mesa, Ariz.
- Ki Chung, Bar Maze, Honolulu
- Rocky Coronado, Nepantla, Detroit
- Danielle Duran-Zecca and Alessandro Zecca, Amiga Amore, Los Angeles
- Ryan Fernandez, Southern Junction, Buffalo, N.Y.
- Yun Fuentes, Bolo, Philadelphia
- Sky Haneul Kim, Gift Horse, Providence, R.I.
- Emily Lim, Dabao Singapore, San Francisco
- Zubair Mohajir, The Coach House by Wazwan, Chicago.
- Masako Morishita, Perry's, Washington, D.C.
- Joe Robbins, Bissell Brothers Three Rivers Kitchen, Milo, Maine.
- Bryce Stevenson, Miijim, La Pointe, Wis.
- Kenneth Wan, MAKfam, Denver
- Lawrence Weeks, North of Bourbon, Louisville, Ky.
- Chanah Willis, Last Call Baking, Birmingham, Ala
- Jeff Workman, The Campground, Kansas City, Mo.
Best New Restaurant (opened between Oct. 1, 2022 and Sept. 30, 2023):
- Ajja, Raleigh, N.C.
- Alkemē, Santa Fe, N.M.
- The Alna Store, Alna, Maine
- Alpino, Detroit
- Atelier, Chicago
- Ava Bakery, Phoenix
- Bar Bacetto, Waitsburg, Wash.
- Barbs-B-Q, Lockhart, Texas
- Barra Santos, Los Angeles
- Chez Noir, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif.
- Comfort Kitchen, Dorchester, Mass.
- Dakar NOLA, New Orleans
- Foul Witch, New York City
- Foxface Natural, New York City
- Hayward, McMinnville, Ore.
- Jūn, Houston
- Kaya, Orlando, Fla.
- Kiln, San Francisco
- Kisser, Nashville, Tenn.
- Lita, Aberdeen Township, N.J .
- Mainlander, St. Louis, Mo.
- My Loup, Philadelphia
- Oro by Nixta, Minneapolis
- Ramen Del Barrio, Austin, Texas
- Sado, St. Louis, Mo.
- Sắp Sửa, Denver
- Scoundrel, Greenville, S.C .
- Shan, Bozeman, Mont.
- Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi, New York City
- Tuxpan Taqueria, Central Falls, R.I.
Outstanding Hospitality:
- AlTayeb Restaurant, Dearborn, Mich.
- Andreoli Italian Grocer, Scottsdale, Ariz.
- Arnaud's, New Orleans
- La Baleine Café, Homer, Ark.
- Bludorn, Houston
- Charleston, Baltimore, Md.
- Cooks & Soldiers, Atlanta
- Crawford and Son, Raleigh, N.C.
- Fiola, Washington, D.C.
- Gemma, Dallas
- Giusto, Newport, R.I .
- Han Oak, Portland, Ore.
- Lazy Bear, San Francisco
- Lula Cafe, Chicago
- Luv2eat Thai Bistro, Los Angeles
- Melba’s, New York City
- Pasture and Plenty, Madison, Wis.
- Snake River Grill, Jackson, Wyo.
- Valter’s Osteria, Salt Lake City
- Woodford Food & Beverage, Portland, Maine
BEST CHEF BY REGION
Best Chef: California
- Diego Argoti, Poltergeist, Los Angeles
- C-Y Chia and Shane Stanbridge, Lion Dance Cafe, Oakland, Calif.
- Geoff Davis, Burdell, Oakland, Calif.
- Azalina Eusope, Azalina’s, San Francisco
- Alex Garcia and Elvia Huerta, Evil Cooks, Los Angeles
- Rogelio Garcia, Auro, Calistoga, Calif.
- Srijith “Sri” Gopinathan, Copra, San Francisco
- Dima Habibeh, Ammatoli, Long Beach, Calif.
- Jeong-In Hwang, San Ho Won, San Francisco
- Jihee Kim, Perilla, Los Angeles
- Kristina Liedags Compton, Hilda and Jesse, San Francisco
- Alfonso “Poncho” Martinez, Poncho’s Tlayudas, Los Angeles
- Lord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord, Los Angeles
- Tara Monsod, Animae, San Diego
- Buu “Billy” Ngo, Kru, Sacramento, Calif.
- Laura Ozyilmaz and Sayat Ozyilmaz, Dalida, San Francisco
- Michael Procaccini and Stefano Procaccini, La Parolaccia, Long Beach, Calif.
- Alisa Reynolds, My 2 Cents, Los Angeles
- Finn Stern, Daytrip, Oakland, Calif.
- Christian Yang, Yang’s Kitchen, Alhambra, Calif.
Best Chef: Great Lakes
- Avishar Barua, Joya’s, Worthington, Ohio
- Erik Bentz and Elaine Uykimpang Bentz, Cafe Mochiko, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Vinnie Cimino, Cordelia, Cleveland, Ohio
- Diana Dávila Boldin, Mi Tocaya Antojería, Chicago
- Salvador Fernandez, Bridges Craft Pizza & Wine Bar, Greencastle, Ind.
- Joe Fontelera, Boonie’s Filipino Restaurant, Chicago
- Joe Frillman, Daisies, Chicago
- Jeffery Harris, Nolia Kitchen, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Doug Hewitt, Freya, Detroit
- Ji Hye Kim, Miss Kim, Ann Arbor, Mich.
- Dan Klenotic, Bellflower, Ypsilanti, Mich.
- BJ Lieberman, Chapman's Eat Market, Columbus, Ohio
- James Martin, Bocadillo Market, Chicago
- Thomas Melvin, Vida, Indianapolis, Ind.
- Jose Salazar, Mita’s, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Sujan Sarkar, Indienne, Chicago
- Hajime Sato, Sozai, Clawson, Mich.
- Jenner Tomaska, Esme, Chicago
- John Yelinek, Ladder 4 Wine Bar, Detroit
- Donald Young, Duck Sel, Chicago
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic
- Carlos Aparicio, El Chingon, Philadelphia
- 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, N.J.
- Nur-E Gulshan Rahman, Korai Kitchen, Jersey City, N.J.
- Keem Hughley, Bronze, Washington, D.C.
- Jesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Philadelphia
- Matt Kern, One Coastal, Fenwick Island, Del.
- 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
- Yuan Tang, Rooster & Owl, Washington, D.C.
- Omar Tate, Honeysuckle Provisions, Philadelphia
- Kevin Tien, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
- Bootsaba Tongdee, Pusadee’s Garden, Pittsburgh, Pa.
- David Zamudio, Alma Cocina Latina, Baltimore, Md.
Best Chef: Midwest
- Sanaa Abourezk, Sanaa’s Gourmet Mediterranean, Sioux Falls, S.D.
- Ann Ahmed, Khâluna, Minneapolis
- Ross Bachhuber and Samuel Ek, Odd Duck, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Andrea Baumgardner, BernBaum’s, Fargo, N.D.
- Lisa Carlson and Carrie Summer, Chef Shack Bay City, Bay City, Wis.
- Rob Connoley, Bulrush, St. Louis, Mo.
- Philip Day, Root Food + Wine, Augusta, Mo.
- Chris Hoffmann, Clyde’s Fine Diner, Des Moines, Iowa.
- Kenny Howard and Heath Stocks, Anima Cucina, Bismarck, N.D.
- Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite, EsterEv, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Kyle Knall, Birch, Milwaukee, Wis.
- Johnny Leach, The Town Company, Kansas City, Mo.
- Katie Liu-Sung, Chewology, Kansas City, Mo.
- Romain Monnoyeur, Westport Cafe, Kansas City, Mo.
- Loryn Nalic, Balkan Treat Box, Webster Groves, Mo.
- Christina Nguyen, Hai Hai, Minneapolis
- Tim Nicholson, The Boiler Room, Omaha, Neb.
- Rozz Petrozz, Saltwell Farm Kitchen, Overbrook, Kan.
- Sean Pharr, Mint Mark, Madison, Wis.
- Karyn Tomlinson, Myriel, St. Paul, Minn.
Best Chef: Mountain
- Joshua Adams, Campione, Livingston, Mont.
- Theo Adley, Marigold, Lyons, Colo.
- Salvador Alamilla, Amano, Caldwell, Idaho
- Dan Ansotegui, Ansots, Boise, Idaho
- Ben Barlow and Heather Logan, Stanley Supper Club, Stanley, Idaho
- David Chon, Bar Nohm, Salt Lake City
- Diego Coconati, Lucina Eatery & Bar, Denver
- Brandon Cunningham, Social Haus, Greenough, Mont.
- Aminata “Ami” Dia and Rougui Dia, Le French, Denver
- Charley Graham, Little Star Diner, Bozeman, Mont.
- Walker Hunter, Brasserie Porte Rouge, Missoula, Mont.
- Lee Johnson, MontAsia, Fishtail, Mont.
- Dave Jones, Log Haven, Salt Lake City
- Jason King, King Sushi, Jackson, Wyo.
- Bo Porytko, Molotov Kitschen + Cocktails, Denver
- Ali Sabbah, Mazza Cafe, Salt Lake City
- Nick Steen Gullings, Walkers Grill, Billings, Mont.
- Matt Vawter, Rootstalk, Breckenridge, Colo.
- Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver
- Nick Zocco, Urban Hill, Salt Lake City
Best Chef: New York State
- Nasim Alikhani, Sofreh, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Mary Attea, Musket Room, New York City
- Ayo Balogun, Dept of Culture, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Clare de Boer, Stissing House, Pine Plains, N.Y.
- Doris Choi, Good Night, Woodstock, N.Y.
- Calvin Eng, Bonnie's, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Aretah Ettarh, Gramercy Tavern, New York City
- Charles Gabriel, Charles Pan-Fried Chicken, New York City
- Efrén Hernández, Casa Susanna, Leeds, N.Y.
- Luis Herrera, Ensenada, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- JJ Johnson, FieldTrip, New York City
- Telly Justice, HAGS, New York City
- Atsushi Kono, Kono, New York City
- Shaina Loew-Banayan, Cafe Mutton, Hudson, N.Y.
- Christina Mauricio, Harana Market, Accord, N.Y.
- Charlie Mitchell, Cloverhill, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Scarr Pimentel, Scarr’s Pizza, New York City
- Jeremy Salamon, Agi's Counter, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Hillary Sterling, Ci Siamo, New York City
- Ed Szymanski, Lord's, New York City
Best Chef: Northeast
- Celia Bruns, Artemisia Cafe, Portland, Maine
- Peter Carvelli, Foglia, Bristol, R.I.
- Tracy Chang, Pagu, Cambridge, Mass.
- Cara Chigazola Tobin, Honey Road, Burlington, Vt.
- John daSilva, Chickadee, Boston
- Conor Dennehy, Tallula, Cambridge, Mass.
- Subat Dilmurat, Jahunger, Providence, R.I.
- Ian Driscoll, Bar Futo, Portland, Maine
- Patricia Estorino, Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar, Cambridge, Mass.
- Lee Frank, Otis Restaurant, Exeter, N.H.
- Valerie Goldman, The Honey Paw, Portland, Maine
- Cecelia Lizotte, Suya Joint, Boston
- Laurence Louie, Rubato, Quincy, Mass.
- Maria Meza, Dolores, Providence, R.I.
- Rachel Miller, Nightshade Noodle Bar, Lynn, Mass.
- David Standridge, The Shipwright's Daughter, Mystic, Conn.
- Jake Stevens, Leeward, Portland, Maine
- Micah Tavelli, Paradiso Hi-Fi, Burlington, Vt.
- Andy Teixeira, Newport Vineyards, Middletown, R.I.
- Basil Yu, Yagi Noodles, Newport, R.I.
Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific
- Avery Adams, Matia Kitchen, Orcas Island, Wash.
- Nathan Bentley, Altura Bistro, Anchorage, Alaska
- Derek Bray, The Table, Tacoma, Wash.
- Kristi Brown, Communion, Seattle
- Grayson Corrales, MariPili Tapas Bar, Seattle
- Michael Dodge, Whisky & Ramen, Anchorage, Alaska
- Josh Dorcak, Mas, Ashland, Ore.
- Gregory Gourdet, kann, Portland, Ore.
- Dan Koommoo, Crafted, Yakima, Wash.
- Andrew Le, The Pig and the Lady, Honolulu
- Evan Leichtling, Off Alley, Seattle
- Matthew Lightner, okta, McMinnville, Ore.
- Melissa Miranda, Musang, Seattle
- Nae Ogawa, natuRe Waikiki, Honolulu
- Jason Peel, Nami Kaze, Honolulu
- Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro, Portland, Ore.
- Jeff Scheer, Marlow, Pukalani, Hawaii
- Beau Schooler, In Bocca Al Lupo, Juneau, Alaska
- Sheldon Simeon, Tiffany’s, Wailuku, Hawaii
- Peter Vuong, Ha VL, Portland, Ore.
Best Chef: Southeast
- Pete Amadhanirundr, Puma Yu's, Athens, Ga.
- Arnaldo Castillo, Tio Lucho’s, Atlanta
- Daryl Cooper and Oscar Johnson, Jimmy Pearls, Charlotte, N.C .
- Erika Council, Bomb Biscuits, Atlanta
- Kitwanda “Kiki” Cyrus and Tyrone Cyrus, Kiki's Chicken and Waffles, Columbia, S.C.
- Jamie Davis, The Hackney, Washington, N.C.
- Jacques Larson, The Obstinate Daughter, Sullivan’s Island, S.C.
- Rod Lassiter and Parnass Savang, Talat Market, Atlanta
- Daris Leatherwood, Supper Club on 2nd, Memphis, Tenn.
- James London, Chubby Fish, Charleston, S.C.
- Scott MacGregor, Appalachia Kitchen, Snowshoe, W.Va.
- Dallas McGarity, The Fat Lamb, Louisville, Ky.
- Trevor Moran, Locust, Nashville, Tenn.
- Arnold Myint, International Market, Nashville, Tenn.
- Duane Nutter, Southern National, Atlanta
- Robbie Robinson, City Limits Barbeque, Cayce, S.C.
- Jason Sellers, Plant, Asheville, N.C.
- Paul Smith, 1010 Bridge, Charleston, W.Va.
- Kanlaya “Gun” Supachana, Dalaya Thai Cuisine, Sylva, N.C.
- Preeti Waas, Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, Raleigh, N.C.
Best Chef: South
- Melissa Araujo, Alma Cafe, New Orleans
- Kelsey Barnard Clark, KBC, Dothan, Ala.
- Jennifer Berdin and Mark Berdin, Kadence, Orlando, Fla.
- Valerie Chang, Maty's, Miami
- Clay Conley, Buccan, Palm Beach, Fla.
- Matt Cooper, Conifer, Bentonville, Ark.
- Tristen Epps, Ocean Social, Miami
- Hunter Evans, Elvie's, Jackson, Miss.
- Ruben Guzman, Leña Eh Food Truck, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Hardette Harris, Us Up North, Shreveport, La.
- Gabriel Hernandez, Verde Mesa, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Amarys Herndon and Jordan Herndon, Palm & Pine, New Orleans
- Rob McDaniel, Helen, Birmingham, Ala.
- Henry Moso, Kabooki Sushi, Orlando, Fla.
- Carlos Portela, Orujo, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Arwen Rice, Red or White, Mobile, Ala.
- Rafael Rios, Yeyo's El Alma de Mexico, Bentonville, Ark.
- Sophina Uong, Mister Mao, New Orleans
- Arvinder Vilkhu, Saffron, New Orleans
- Marlon "Chicken” Williams, Chicken's Kitchen, Gretna, La.
Best Chef: Southwest
- Rene Andrade, Bacanora, Phoenix
- Christopher Bethoney, Campo at Los Poblanos, Albuquerque, N.M.
- Annamaria Brezna O'Brien, Dolina Cafe and Bakery, Santa Fe, N.M.
- Flavia Briones, Barista Del Barrio, Tucson, Ariz.
- Pornsupak “Cat” Bunnag, Glai Baan, Phoenix
- Jeff Chanchaleune, Ma Der Lao Kitchen, Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Alexandre Figueira, Doctor Kustom, Tulsa, Okla.
- DJ Flores, Milpa, Las Vegas
- Wendy Garcia, Tumerico, Tucson, Ariz.
- Josefina Garcilazo, Chope's, La Mesa, N.M.
- Sam Greenhalgh, Forêt, Flagstaff, Ariz.
- Jordan Hawley, il seme, Tulsa, Okla.
- Brian Howard, Sparrow + Wolf, Las Vegas
- Steve Kestler, Aroma Latin American Cocina, Henderson, Nev.
- Marc Quinones, Level 5, Albuquerque, N.M.
- Steve Riley, Mesa Provisions, Albuquerque, N.M.
- Eduardo Rodriguez, Zacatlan, Santa Fe, N.M.
- Jacque Siegfried, Natv, Broken Arrow, Okla.
- Tabb Singleton, Phat Tabb's BBQ, Idabel, Okla.
- Claudio Urciuoli, Source, Gilbert, Ariz.
Best Chef: Texas
- Thomas Bille, Belly of the Beast, Spring, Texas
- Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Canje, Austin, Texas
- Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó, Houston
- Mark Clayton, Squable, Houston
- Christopher Cullum, Cullum’s Attaboy, San Antonio, Texas
- Victoria Elizondo, Cochinita & Co., Houston
- Geoff Ellis, Mum Foods Smokehouse & Delicatessen, Austin, Texas
- Alexandra Gates, Cochineal, Marfa, Texas
- Joseph Gomez, Con Todo, Austin, Texas
- Andrew Ho, Andrew Samia, and Sean Wen, Curry Boys BBQ, San Antonio, Texas
- Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin, Best Quality Daughter, San Antonio, Texas
- Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, Birdie's, Austin, Texas
- Emiliano Marentes, Elemi, El Paso, Texas
- Misti Norris, Petra & the Beast, Dallas
- Fermín Nuñez, Suerte, Austin, Texas
- Ana Liz Pulido, Ana Liz Taqueria, Mission, Texas
- Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, José, Dallas
- Regino Rojas, Purépecha, Dallas
- Arnulfo Sánchez III, Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q, Grapevine, Texas
- Rich Vana, The Heritage Table, Frisco, Texas
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