James Beard Foundation logo
Mexican/Latin-themed restaurants made a big showing on the list of finalists for the 2022 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards, which will be celebrated at an award ceremony on Monday, June 13, 2022, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. el Restaurante congratulates all of the semifinalists and look forward to featuring interviews and recipes from many of them in upcoming issues.
Outstanding Chef
Emiliano Marentes, ELEMI, El Paso, TX
Alex Raij and Eder Montero, La Vara, NYC
Outstanding Restaurant
El Burén de Lula, Loíza, PR
La Morada NYC
Mixtli, San Antonio, TX
Emerging Chef
Edgar Rico, Nixta Taqueria, Austin
Best New Restaurant
Bacanora, Phoenix
BARDA, Detroit
Café Mamajuana, Burlington, VT
Lengua Madre, New Orleans
República, Portland, OR
Ursula, NYC
Zacatlán Restaurant, Santa Fe
Outstanding Pastry Chef
Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles
Ruben Ortega, Xochi, Houston
Sofia Tejeda, Mixtli, San Antonio, TX
Outstanding Baker
David Cáceres, La Panadería, San Antonio, TX
Marissa and Mark Gencarelli, Yoli Tortilleria, Kansas City, MO
Don Guerra, Barrio Bread, Tucson, AZ
Maricsa Trejo, La Casita Bakeshop, Richardson, TX
Outstanding Hospitality
Hugo's, Houston
José, Dallas
Outstanding Bar Program
barmini by José Andrés, Washington, D.C.
Cafe La Trova, Miami
La Factoría, San Juan, PR
Las Almas Rotas, Dallas
Best Chef: California
Judept Irra, Tamales Elena y Antojitos, Bell Gardens, CA
Carlos Salgado, Taco María, Costa Mesa, CA
Best Chef: Great Lakes
Rodolfo Cuadros, Amaru and Bloom Plant Based Kitchen, Chicago
Diana Dávila Boldin, Mi Tocaya Antojería, Chicago
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic
Cristina Martinez, South Philly Barbacoa, Philadelphia
Carlos Raba, Clavel Mezcaleria, Baltimore
Best Chef: Midwest
Gregory León, Amilinda, Milwaukee
Best Chef: Mountain
Jose Avila, El Borrego Negro, Denver
Best Chef: New York State
Erik Ramirez, Llama Inn, NYC
Best Chef: Northeast
Patricia Estorino, Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar, Waltham and Cambridge, MA
Macarena Ludena, Cora Cora, West Hartford, CT
David Vargas, Vida Cantina, Portsmouth, NH
Best Chef: Southeast
Katie Button, Cúrate, Asheville, NC
Oscar Diaz, The Cortez, Raleigh, NC
Anthony Lamas, Seviche, Louisville, KY
Best Chef: Southwest
Maria Mazon, BOCA Tacos y Tequila, Tuscon, AZ
Fernando Olea, Sazón, Santa Fe
Salazar Brothers, La Guelaguetza, Albuquerque, NM
Best Chef: Texas
Sylvia Casares, Sylvia's Enchilada Kitchen, Houston
Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, José, Dallas
Regino Rojas, Revolver Taco Lounge, Dallas
Iliana de la Vega, El Naranjo, Austin
# # #