Dana Rodriguez, Super Mega Bien, Denver
If there’s been any doubt that Mexican/Latin cuisine has come of age and is holding its own with the best of the best in myriad categories, the just-announced list of semifinalists in the 2023 James Beard Awards should put that to rest! el Restaurante extends a big “Congratulations!” to these restaurants and chefs, and looks \forward to featuring many of them in upcoming issues.
Outstanding Restaurateur
Johnna Hayes and Debra Zinke, 3 Sirens Restaurant Group (including Holé Molé), Tulsa, OK
Michael Reginbogin and Jason Berry, KNEAD Hospitality + Design (including MI VIDA, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Chef
Dana Rodriguez, Super Mega Bien, Denver, CO
Silvana Salcido Esparza, Barrio Café, Phoenix, AZ
David Vargas, Vida Cantina, Portsmouth, NH
Chef Junior Borges, Meridian
Outstanding Restaurant Presented by Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water
La Condesa, Austin, TX
Mita's, Cincinnati, OH
Emerging Chef Presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water
Victoria Elizondo, Cochinita & Co., Houston, TX
Julio Hernandez, Maiz de la Vida, Nashville, TN
Amado Lopez, Casa Amado Taqueria, Berkley, MI
Akino West, Rosie's, Miami, FL
Best New Restaurant
Causa, Washington, D.C.
Don Artemio, Fort Worth, TX
Tatemó, Houston, TX
Outstanding Bakery
Buena Gente Cuban Bakery, Decatur, GA
La Casita Bakeshop, Richardson, TX
Yoli Tortilleria, Kansas City, MO
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Manuel and Jesús Brazón, Caracas Bakery, Doral, FL
Mariela Camacho, Comadre Panadería, Austin, TX
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
FRIDA Southwest, Oklahoma City, OK
Suerte, Austin, TX
Outstanding Bar
Salud Cerveceria, Charlotte, NC
Best Chefs Presented by Capital One (by region)
Best Chef: California
Rocio Camacho, Rocio's Mexican Kitchen, Bell Gardens, CA
Val M. Cantu, Californios, San Francisco, CA
Gilberto Cetina Jr., Holbox, Los Angeles, CA
Carlos Salgado, Taco María, Costa Mesa, CA
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
Diana Dávila Boldin, Mi Tocaya Antojería, Chicago, IL
Norberto Garita, El Barzon, Detroit, MI
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
Dionicio Jiménez, Cantina La Martina, Philadelphia, PA
Omar Rodriguez, Oyamel Cocina Mexicana, Washington, D.C.
Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
Gregory León, Amilinda, Milwaukee, WI
Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)
Salvador Alamilla, Amano, Caldwell, ID
Jose Avila, La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, Denver, CO
Michael Diaz de Leon, BRUTØ, Denver, CO
Best Chef: New York State
Giovanni Cervantes, Taqueria Ramírez, Brooklyn, NY
Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
Dayna Lee-Márquez, Comal 864, Greenville, SC
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)
Ana Castro, Lengua Madre, New Orleans, LA
Rafael Rios, Yeyo's El Alma de Mexico, Bentonville, AR
Francis Guzmán, Vianda San Juan, Puerto Rico
Natalia Vallejo, Cocina al Fondo, San Juan, PR
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)
Rene Andrade and Roberto Centeno, Bacanora, Phoenix, AZ
Wendy Garcia, Tumerico, Tucson, AZ
Fernando Hernández, Testal, Phoenix, AZ
Luis and Berenice Medina, El Chile Toreado, Santa Fe, NM
Best Chef: Texas
Olivia López and Jonathan Percival, Molino Olōyō, Dallas, TX
Enrique Lozano, El Charlatan, Socorro, TX
Emiliano Marentes, ELEMI, El Paso, TX
Ana Liz Pulido, Ana Liz Taqueria, Mission, TX
Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, José, Dallas, TX
Regino Rojas, Revolver Taco Lounge, Dallas, TX