TEXAS — The James Beard Foundation has announced its restaurant and chef finalists for this year, and many hail from the Lone Star State. The James Beard Awards have been around since 1990 and are one of the most prestigious honors in the food world.
In the category of Best Chef: Texas, seven chefs representing five restaurants are up for the award. The finalists are Ope Amosu from ChòpnBlọk in Houston, Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu from JŪN in Houston, Scott Girling from Osteria II Muro in Denton, Gabe Padilla and Melissa Padilla from Café Piro in Socorro and Finn Walter from The Nicolett in Lubbock.
Representing Texas for Outstanding Restaurateur are Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught of H Town Restaurant Group in Houston. H Town Restaurant Group is known for its restaurants Xochi and Hugo’s, along with others in the Houston area.
Mixtli in San Antonio was nominated for Outstanding Restaurant and Agnes and Sherman in Houston was nominated for Best New Restaurant.
For the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category, Tavel Bristol-Joseph from the restaurant Nicosi in San Antonio and Maggie Huff from the restaurant Lucia in Dallas were nominated. June Rodil from the restaurant March in Houston was nominated for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service and Adrian Torres from the restaurant Maximo in West University Place was nominated in the Emerging Chef category.
Winners will be announced at the Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on June 15.