Since the James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards began in 1991 it has developed into one of the most prized culinary acknowledgments around up there with the Michelin Guide.
Championing and supporting U.S. culinary culture for over 30 years, the James Beard Foundation is now a renowned name for anybody in the business. In addition to their fundraising efforts and events, their coveted food industry awards are recognition of the highest order.
“We are proud to announce the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists for the James Beard Awards. The awards recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive”, read the official James Beard Foundation announcement.
The Restaurant and Chef semifinalists are recognized across 22 categories. Finalist nominees will be announced on Wednesday, April 3, and winners will then be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
We’ve here broken down the information and listed everyone in Chicago who was announced across all categories!
Keep scrolling for this year’s semifinalists and head back in June to find out this year’s winners.
Best New Restaurant
Chicago had one semifinalist in the Best New Restaurant category: Atelier.
Located in Lincoln Park, Atelier is headed by Chef Christian Hunter who was named as a finalist for the James Beard Best Chef: Northeast in 2023 and then received the Young Chef Award from the Michelin Guide later that year for his work as executive chef at Community Table in northwest Connecticut.
Infusing New American fare with unexpected global flavors, Atelier delivers “Fine Dining Folk Cuisine” according to its website, which reads: “Like folk music, his menus are down to earth, come from the people, and reflect the things that brought them to this point and place.”
Outstanding Restaurant
It was none other than the famed neighborhood gastro-tavern The Duck Inn that made the Outstanding Restaurant category.
Located on the border of the vibrant Pilsen and Bridgeport neighborhoods inside a pre-Prohibition era tavern, the retro-inspired spot is renowned for its creative duck dishes.
Outstanding Restaurateur
In the Outstanding Restaurateur category, Chicago had two representatives.
The first of these was Marcos Carbajal of one of Chicago’s best taco joints: Carnitas Uruapan.
Founded in 1975 by Inocencio Carbajal aka “El Guero”, the authentic tacos at Carnitas Uruapan find their origin in Michoacan, Mexico, and are proudly reflective of street food found in the markets of Western Mexico.
Joining Marcos Carbajal as a semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurateur category are brothers Nicolas Poilevey and Oliver Poilevey who are behind Taqueria Chingón, Le Bouchon, and last year’s Best New Restaurant semifinalist Obélix
Outstanding Chef
John Shields and Karen Urie Shields of Smyth in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood made the Outstanding Chef category for their work.
One of two restaurants to have acquired 3 Michelin Stars in Chicago, the rustic-chic venue offers an inventive, high-end American tasting menu.
Emerging Chef
Zubair Mohajir of The Coach House by Wazwan in Wicker Park was the only Chicago representative in the Emerging Chef category.
Born in Chennai, India, Mohajir grew up in Doha, Qatar, and then moved to southwest Chicago with his family when he was 12 years old.
Mohajir entered the industry as a prep cook for The Pump Room by Jean George soon becoming Sous Chef in two years. His journey then took him to a Chef De Partie position with The Bouchon team for TKRG in Yountville, California, and an apprenticeship with Gaggan in Bangkok.
Wazwan opened as an underground fine-dining pop-up in 2017 and with a flourishing reputation became an official brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2021 earning Mohajir nominations for Jean Banchet Rising Chef of the Year in 2022, and a nomination for last year’s James Beard’s Awards in the Best Chef Great Lakes 2023 category.
Outstanding Bakery
Chicago had one semifinalist in the Outstanding Bakery category: Loba Pastry+Coffee.
It is the first year that Chicago has had a semifinalist in the Outstanding Bakery category which debuted last year.
Selling java drinks and housemade pastries, fans have owner Valeria Taylor to thank for the trendy and minimalist Loba Pastry+Coffee.
Having first opened its doors 8 years ago in Roscoe Village the small batch bakery clung to life courtesy of Valeria’s grit, crowdfunding, and Roscoe Village locals who had grown fond of the popular bakery.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Anna Posey of West Loop’s Elske was nominated in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category.
A modern American restaurant in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, Elske defines itself as centering on “simplistic fare, seasonal ingredients, and energetic hospitality”.
A finalist in the Best Chefs: Great Lakes category in 2019 and 2018 as well as a one Michelin star restaurant since 2017, this year Elske’s Anny Possey makes the list of semifinalists in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category.
Outstanding Hospitality
Lula Cafe was nominated in the Outstanding Hospitality category.
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Middle Brow was nominated in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category.
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
The location-specific Best Chef: Great Lakes category unsurprisingly had the most Chicago semifinalists of all categories. Of a total of 20, there were 7 Chicago representatives, up from just 2 last year.
The Chicago semifinalists in the Best Chef: Great Lakes were:
- Diana Dávila Boldin of Mi Tocaya Antojería
- Joe Fontelera of Boonie’s Filipino Restaurant
- Joe Frillman of Daisies
- James Martin of Bocadillo Market
- Sujan Sarkar of Indienne
- Jenner Tomaska of Esme
- Donald Young of Duck Sel
While last year Chicago had no semifinalists in the inaugural Outstanding Bakery category nor the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker, Outstanding Restaurateur, Outstanding Chef, or Outstanding Bar categories this year it was only the latter that Chicago did not have a representative.
None of Chicago’s many incredible bars made it into the Outstanding Bar category though shout out to Scratch Brewing Company in Jackson County’s Ava which made the list.
See the full list of nominees on the James Beard Foundation website.And don’t forget to check back in at a later date as we’ll be sure to keep you updated following the award ceremony on June 10, 2024.
[Featured image courtesy of the James Beard Foundation]