Fifteen chefs and restaurants in Arizona are semifinalists for James Beard Awards, which will be announced this summer.
Arizona is full of top-notch eateries—and this year’s shortlist for the James Beard Awards proves it.
Fifteen chefs and restaurants in the state were named semifinalists in the competition also known as “the Oscars of food.”
Nominees will be announced on April 2, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on June 16 in Chicago.
The first James Beard Awards were given in 1991, and they now recognize professionals across 25 categories. The new categories this year are best new bar, outstanding professional in beverage service, and outstanding professional in cocktail service.
Here are all of the semifinalists in Arizona:
Emerging chef
Lawrence “LT” Smith, Chilte, Phoenix
Best new restaurant
Santo Arcadia, Phoenix
Outstanding bakery
Patisserie Jacqui, Bisbee
Outstanding pastry chef or baker
Antonia Kane, COURSE, Scottsdale
Crystal Kass, Valentine, Phoenix
Outstanding hospitality
Kai, Gila River Indian Community
Outstanding bar
Little Rituals, Phoenix
Best new bar
Kid Sister, Phoenix
Outstanding professional in cocktail service
Jax Donahue, Carry On, Phoenix
Best chef: Southwest
Jose Contreras, Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen, Tucson
Donald Hawk, Valentine, Phoenix
Stephen Jones, The Larder & The Delta, Phoenix
Bernie Kantak, Beginners Luck, Scottsdale
Yotaka Martin, Lom Wong, Phoenix
Cory Oppold, COURSE, Scottsdale
