Houston Leads Texas Semifinalists For The James Beard Awards With 11 Nominations.

James Beard Foundation released its list of semifinalists for its annual culinary awards, and Houston is leading Texas semifinalists with 11 nominations, followed by Austin with nine nominations, and Dallas with eight.

The awards are considered the Oscars of the food world, recognizing chefs, restaurants and culinary professionals, in categories such as Best New Restaurant, Outstanding Chef  and Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program.

This year Houston and Austin semifinalists are: 

• Best New Restaurant: Ramen Del Barrio, Austin
• Best New Restaurant: Jun, Houston
• Outstanding Restaurateur: Itai Ben Eli and Itamar Levy, Sof Hospitality Group, Houston
• Emerging Chef: Ope Amosu, ChopnBlock, Houston
• Outstanding Restaurant, Nancy’s Hustle
• Best New Restaurant: Barbs-B-Q (Lockhart), Austin
• Outstanding Bakery: Koffeteria, Houston
• Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Mariela Camacho, Comadre Panadería, Austin
• Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Stephanie Velasquez, Ema HTX, Houston
• Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: Bufalina, Austin
• Outstanding Hospitality: Bludorn, Houston.

Also, competing for the best chef in Texas are:

• Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Canje. Austin
• Geoff Ellis, Mum Foods Smokehouse & Delicatessen. Austin
• Joseph Gomez, Con Todo. Austin
• Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, Birdie’s. Austin
• Fermín Nuñez, Suerte. Houston.
• Thomas, Bille Belly of the Beast. Houston
• Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó. Houston
• Mark Clayton, Squable. Houston
• Victoria Elizondo, Cochinita & Co. Houston.

The last time Austin won in a national category was in 2022, when Edgar Rico from Nixta Taqueria won Emerging Chef of the Year. Last time Houston won a national category was when Julep won the Outstanding Bar award in 2022.

Star tuned for news, because finalists will be announced on April 3 and winners will be revealed at a ceremony on June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.