Every year, the James Beard Foundation bestows awards on the most accomplished and innovative chefs, restaurants, producers and food writers in the nation. Even a nomination is considered an honor, and making it to the semi-final round is a huge deal. On February 27, the 2019 semi-finalists were publicly announced, and we are thrilled and proud to see so many names from Pennsylvania on the list!
The final Restaurant and Chef Award nominees, as well as the nominees for the Media and Restaurant Design Awards, will be announced in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, March 27. The awards will then be given out at the 2019 James Beard Awards Gala on Monday, May 6, at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.
Here are the Pennsylvania chefs and restaurants that are semi-finalists this year:
Best New Restaurant:
- Andiario, West Chester, PA (read our First Look feature about this amazing restaurant from April 2018).
Andiario in West Chester, PA
Outstanding Baker:
- Tova du Plessis, Essen Bakery, Philadelphia, PA
Outstanding Bar Program:
- Monk’s Café, Philadelphia, PA
Outstanding Chef:
- Marc Vetri, Vetri Cucina, Philadelphia, PA
Outstanding Pastry Chef:
- James Matty, Suraya, Philadelphia
Outstanding Restaurant:
- Bolete, Bethlehem, PA
A dish at Bolete, in Bethlehem, PA
- Zahav, Philadelphia, PA
Outstanding Restaurateur:
- Ellen Yin, High Street Hospitality Group (Fork, High Street on Market, High Street on Hudson), Philadelphia, PA
High Street on Market in Philadelphia, PA
- Richard DeShantz and Tolga Sevdik, Richard DeShantz Restaurant Group (Poulet Bleu, Fish nor Fowl, Butcher and the Rye, and others), Pittsburgh, PA
Outstanding Wine Program:
- Bar Marco, Pittsburgh, PA
Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Producer:
- Meredith Meyer Grelli, Wigle Whiskey, Pittsburgh, PA
Rising Star Chef of the Year:
- Becca Hegarty, Bitter Ends Luncheonette, Pittsburgh, PA
- Jesse Ito, Royal Izakaya, Philadelphia, PA
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic:
- Jamilka Borges, The Independent Brewing Company, Pittsburgh, PA
- Kristin Butterworth, Lautrec, Farmington, PA
- Nicholas Elmi, Laurel, Philadelphia, PA
- Rich Landau, Vedge, Philadelphia, PA
Chef Rich Landau
- Cristina Martinez, South Philly Barbacoa, Philadelphia, PA
- Wei Zhu, Chengdu Gourmet, Pittsburgh, PA
Best of luck to all our local stars — we congratulate you and are rooting for you!
- Feature, Andiario and Rich Landau photos: Ed Williams for PA Eats
- All other photos: Courtesy of their respective restaurants
