Here are the 2023 James Beard Winners
Here are the 2023 James Beard Winners
Keep this list if you're planning to eat across America this summer
Last evening, the James Beard Foundation held its annual awards ceremony in Chicago.
Considered the Academy Awards for chefs, the evening saw toques exchange their white chef’s coats for tuxedos and gowns at the Lyric Theater.
The Restaurant and Chef Awards were co-hosted by Eric Adjepong, host of Alex vs America; Esther Choi, chef and owner of mŏkbar and Ms. Yoo; Top Chef’s Gail Simmons; and TV personality and chef Andrew Zimmern.
In a complete upset, New York was shut out of wins, according to Eater NY, which noted the Foundation, “passed over New York in every national category, the first time the state has been shut out of the awards since the honors were first presented over three decades ago.” Of course, New York has its very own “Outstanding Chef” category, with Junghyun Park from Atomix in New York City winning the Beard.
Another major food city that was given the cold shoulder was Miami. Though the city recently hosted a Michelin Star Revelation Ceremony, the only Miami finalist — Wynwood’s Zak the Baker — was bettered by Yoli Tortilleria in Kansas City, MO in the “Outstanding Bakery” category.
Since we’re keeping score, the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, took home Beards in three categories, with Chicago and Los Angeles restaurants earning two Beards each.
Following, find the complete list of 2023 James Beard Restaurant and Chef winners — keep it handy if you’re making summer vacation plans to eat across America.
Outstanding Chef
Rob Rubba, Oyster Oyster, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Restaurant
Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia, PA
Best New Restaurant
Kann, Portland, OR
Outstanding Restaurateur
Ellen Yin, High Street Hospitality Group (Fork, a.kitchen + bar, High Street, and others), Philadelphia, PA
Emerging Chef
Damarr Brown, Virtue, Chicago, IL
Outstanding Bakery
Yoli Tortilleria, Kansas City, MO
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles, CA
Outstanding Hospitality
The Quarry, Monson, ME
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
OTOTO, Los Angeles, CA
Outstanding Bar
Bar Leather Apron, Honolulu, HI
Best Chefs
Best Chef: California
Justin Pichetrungsi, Anajak Thai, Sherman Oaks, CA
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, Kasama, Chicago, IL
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon, Kalaya, Philadelphia, PA
Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
Itaru Nagano and Andrew Kroeger, Fairchild, Madison, WI
Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)
Kris Komori, KIN, Boise, ID
Best Chef: New York State
Junghyun Park, Atomix, New York, NY
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
Sherry Pocknett, Sly Fox Den Too, Charlestown, RI
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)
Vince Nguyen, Berlu, Portland, OR
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)
Natalia Vallejo, Cocina al Fondo, San Juan, PR
Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
Terry Koval, The Deer and the Dove, Decatur, GA
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)
Andrew Black, Grey Sweater, Oklahoma City, OK
Best Chef: Texas
Benchawan Jabthong Painter, Street to Kitchen, Houston, TX
Humanitarian of the Year Award
The 2023 Humanitarian of the Year Award honorees are the co-founders of the Black Farmer Fund: Olivia Watkins and Karen Washington.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree is Madhur Jaffrey CBE.