The James Beard Foundation has honored plenty of Pennsylvania individuals and establishments in the past; highlights from 2019 included Marc Vetri nominated for Best Chef, Andiario for Best New Restaurant and Bar Marco for Outstanding Wine Program. We hoped that the 2020 semi-finalist list would continue to shine a spotlight on the amazing culinary culture in our state, and it looks like our wish has been granted!
For any bar, restaurant, chef or writer, making it to the semi-final round of the prestigious James Beard Awards is a serious honor. The 2020 semi-finalists were just announced (marking the 30th anniversary for the awards), and here are the Pennsylvania people and places that have been nominated this year!
Best New Restaurant:
- Kayala, Philadelphia, PA
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8vJrRUje5R/
Outstanding Baker:
- Tova du Plessis, Essen Bakery, Philadelphia, PA
Outstanding Bar Program:
- Horse Inn, Lancaster, PA
Cocktail at Horse Inn
Outstanding Chef:
- Marc Vetri, Vetri Cucina, Philadelphia, PA
Outstanding Pastry Chef:
- Neil Blazin, Driftwood Oven, Pittsburgh, PA
https://www.instagram.com/p/B61F5ZohwpS/
Outstanding Restaurant:
- Bolete, Bethlehem, PA
Outstanding Wine Program:
- Le Caveau, Philadelphia, PA
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6Tbof_Dib7/
Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Producer:
- Jean Broillet IV, Tired Hands Brewing Company, Ardmore, PA
Rising Star Chef of the Year:
- Jesse Ito, Royal Izakaya, Philadelphia, PA
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic:
- Nicholas Elmi, Laurel, Philadelphia, PA
- Rich Landau, Vedge, Philadelphia, PA
- Christian Frangiadis, Spork, Pittsburgh
- Cristina Martinez, South Philly Barbacoa, Philadelphia
- Taylor Mason, Luca, Lancaster, PA
- Wei Zhu, Chengdu Gourmet, Pittsburgh
Congrats to all the local semi-finalists! The final Restaurant and Chef Award nominees, as well as the nominees for the James Beard Media and Restaurant Design Awards, will be announced in Philadelphia on Wednesday, March 25, 9 a.m. Catch the announcements via live stream and in real time on the James Beard Foundation’s Twitter feed!
- Feature photo: Horse Inn
- Tired Hands can photo: Tired Hands Brewing Co.
