Sigel-Gardner also serves as the creative and culinary director for Local Foods Group. He told Community Impact he believes Houston has one of the best food scenes in the country and that people are noticing it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t think we’ve ever been not looked at, but I do think people are understanding that there’s a tremendous amount of talent here,\u201d he said. \u201c[Houston has] a really interesting diversity as well, so it’s not just one type of cuisine or a certain chef that’s kind of dominating.\u201d<\/p>\n
Additional Houston semifinalists include Lee\u2019s <\/a>for the Best New Bar category and Adrian Torres from Maximo<\/a>, a West University Place Mexican restaurant, for the Emerging Chef category.<\/p>\n Something to note<\/p>\n The accolades also serve as a guide for fellow foodies and restaurateurs of places to try when traveling, as the foundation highlights \u201cthe people, cuisines and stories that define our nation\u2019s culinary landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe are thrilled to congratulate this year\u2019s semifinalists as we mark another major milestone\u201440 years of the James Beard Foundation,\u201d said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, in a Jan. 21 news release. \u201cFor four decades, the Foundation has recognized culinary excellence while championing the independent chefs and restaurants that are vital to our communities, economy and culture.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Kent](\"https:\/\/communityimpact.com\/uploads\/images\/2026\/01\/22\/406230.jpg\")
Kent Domas and Seth Siegel-Gardner are pictured at Lee\u2019s, Milton\u2019s sister bar. (Courtesy Carla Gomez)<\/p>\n