Kevin Binkley falls just short at James Beard Awards for 2nd straight year

Arizona’s drought at the James Beard Awards is now at six years and counting.

The culinary world’s version of the Oscars were handed out in a New York ceremony Monday night. Jennifer Jasinski from Rioja in Denver won Best Chef Southwest.

Kevin Binkley, chef/owner of Binkley’s in Cave Creek, was one of the region’s five finalists for the second straight year. Others this year were Bryce Gilmore (Barley Swine, Austin), Hugo Ortega (Hugo’s, Houston), and Chris Shepherd (Underbelly, Houston).

Arizona has had nine chefs win Best Chef Southwest, more than any other state, but none since Nobuo Fukuda won in 2007.