Restaurants and Chefs in the Bayou City are getting noticed, nationwide. The James Beard Foundation announced its 2018 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists, on Thursday. And Houston has seven national-level semifinalist nominations.
Xochi, Houston – Best New Restaurant, semifinalist
Anvil Bar & Refuge, Houston – Outstanding Bar Program, semifinalist
Jillian Bartolome, Aqui, Houston – Outstanding Pastry Chef, semifinalist
Tracy Vaught, H Town Restaurant Group, Houston – Outstanding Restaurateur, semifinalist
Hugo's, Houston – Outstanding Service, semifinalist
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Houston – Outstanding Wine Program, semifinalist
Martha De Leon, Pax Americana, Houston – Rising Star Chef of the Year, semifinalist
According to the Houston Chronicle, seven national-level semifinalist nominations is “unprecedented.”
Houston-area chefs also have five semifinalists in the "Best Chef Southwest" category- more than any other city in that category.
Ross Coleman and James Haywood, Kitchen 713, Houston
Anita Jaisinghani, Pondicheri, Houston
Ronnie Killen, Killen's Steakhouse, Pearland, TX
Trong Nguyen, Crawfish & Noodles, Houston
Ryan Pera, Coltivare, Houston
Click here or a full list of semifinalists.
The James Beard Foundation will announce the final Restaurant and Chef Award nominees in Philadelphia on Wednesday, March 14. Winners will be announced at The 2018 James Beard Awards Gala, which takes place on Monday, May 7, in Chicago.
Now… go out and enjoy some great food!