(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The James Beard Foundation served up its list of 2024 semifinalists on Wednesday, and Chicago was very well represented.
The foundation included 17 Chicago restaurants, bars and chefs in its roundup of semifinalists in what’s known as the Oscars of the culinary world — six more than the city had in 2023.
Chicago was one of three cities to have two semifinalists for Outstanding Restaurateur: Marcos Carbajal, of Carnitas Uruapan in Gage Park; and brothers Nicolas Poilevey and Oliver Poilevey, who run Obelix in River North, as well as Le Bouchon and Taqueria Chingón in Logan Square.
As for the Outstanding Restaurant category, Chicago’s lone semifinalist was the Duck Inn in Bridgeport. Meanwhile, Lincoln Square’s Atelier was among those named for the Best New Restaurant award.
Chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields were named among the nationwide semifinalists for Outstanding Chef — the only semifinalists from Chicago for that award. They’re the co-owners of Smyth, located on Chicago’s Near West Side, where they currently hold three Michelin stars.
Zubair Mohajir, the chef at Wicker Park’s the Coach House by Wazwan, was named as a semifinalist in the Emerging Chef category.
The team at Loba Pastry and Coffee — which turned to a crowdfunding effort to open a new location in 2023 after they were rejected for multiple loan requests — was named a semifinalist for Outstanding Bakery, and Elske’s Anna Posey was named in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category.
As far as the rest of the national awards, the James Beard Foundation included Lula Cafe for Outstanding Hospitality and Middle Brow for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program.
Much like previous years, Chicago chefs had a strong showing in the Best Chef: Great Lakes category, with six semifinalists. They were:
-Diana Dávila Boldin, Mi Tocaya Antojería
-Joe Frillman, Daisies
-James Martin, Bocadillo Market
-Sujan Sarkar, Indienne
-Jenner Tomaska, Esme
-Donald Young, Duck Sel
The final nominees will be announced on April 3, and the winners will be announced on June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago during the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony.
The full list of semifinalists can be found here.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok