The Valley was completely shut out – going 0 for 9 – when finalists for the 2023 James Beard Foundation Awards were announced this morning.
Nine local chefs or restaurants were among 20 semifinalists in various award categories at the culinary world’s equivalent of the Oscars.
None, however, advanced to the finals, including:
- Silvana Salcido Esparza from Barrio Café in Phoenix (Outstanding Chef);
- Rene Andrade and Roberto Centeno from Bacanora in Phoenix (Best Chef Southwest);
- Fernando Hernández from Testal in Phoenix (Best Chef Southwest);
- Yotaka and Alex Martin from Lom Wong in Phoenix (Best Chef Southwest);
- Crystal Kass from Valentine in Phoenix (Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker);
- JL Patisserie in Phoenix and Scottsdale (Outstanding Bakery);
- Glai Baan in Phoenix (Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program).
In addition, there were six Arizona semifinalists from outside the Valley who also didn’t make the finals:
- Proper Meats & Provisions in Flagstaff (Outstanding Restaurant);
- Christian Lowe from Shift Kitchen & Bar in Flagstaff (Emerging Chef);
- Jaren Bates and Brett Vibber from The Table at Junipine in Sedona (Best Chef Southwest);
- Nephi Craig from Café Gozhóó in Whiteriver (Best Chef Southwest);
- Wendy Garcia from Tumerico in Tucson (Best Chef Southwest).
Still, being named a semifinalist is quite an honor in and of itself. Congrats to all of our semifinalists.
This year’s James Beard Award winners will be announced June 5.
