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This year marks the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards. To celebrate that milestone and to recognize the continuously evolving independent restaurant landscape, the Restaurant and Chef Awards — which celebrate excellence across all types of dining experiences — have introduced three new categories focused on beverages: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.
el Restaurante congratulates the 73 Mexican- and Latin-inspired restaurants, bars, chefs and mixologists who made the semifinalist list this year:
Outstanding Restaurateur
Sue Chin and Jason Chin, Good Salt Restaurant Group (including Reyes Mezcaleria), Orlando, FL
Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton
Gilberto Cetina, Holbox, Los Angeles, CA
Gregory León, Amilinda, Milwaukee, WI
Outstanding Restaurant presented by Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water
ELEMI, El Paso, TX
Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water
Jesus "Chuy" Cervantes, Damian, Los Angeles, CA
Lawrence "LT" Smith, Chilte, Phoenix, AZ
Best New Restaurant
Alma Fonda Fina, Denver, CO
Cariño, Chicago, IL
Casa Balam, Decatur, GA
Corima, New York, NY
Ema, Houston, TX
Mita, Washington, D.C.
Noche, Tulsa, OK
Santo Arcadia, Phoenix, AZ
Vecino, Detroit, MI
Outstanding Bakery
Gusto Bread, Long Beach, CA
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Mateo Herrera, La Puerta del Sol, El Paso, TX
Crystal Kass, Valentine, Phoenix, AZ
Outstanding Hospitality presented by American Airlines
Mixtli, San Antonio, TX
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Taconeta, El Paso, TX
Outstanding Bar
Café La Trova, Miami, FL
Leyenda, Brooklyn, NY
Techo Mezcaleria & Agave Bar, Austin, TX
Best New Bar
Bar Cana, Washington, D.C.
Identidad Cocktail Bar, San Juan, PR
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
Jose Medina Camacho, Adios, Birmingham, AL
Thomas Kakalios, Asador Bastian, Chicago, IL
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
Ignacio Jimenez, Superbueno, New York, NY
Andra "AJ" Johnson, Serenata, Washington, D.C.
Best Chefs presented by Capital One (by region)
Best Chef: California
Val Cantu, Californios, San Francisco
Danielle Duran Zecca, Amiga Amore, Los Angeles, CA
Elvia Garcia and Alex Garcia, Evil Cooks, Los Angeles, CA
Melissa López, Barra Santos, Los Angeles, CA
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
Marcos Ascencio, Mariscos San Pedro, Chicago, IL
Diana Davila, Mi Tocaya Antojería, Chicago, IL
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
Juan Carlos Aparicio, El Chingon, Philadelphia, PA
Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss, Pascual, Washington, D.C.
Carlos Delgado, Causa and Amazonia, Washington, D.C.
Yun Fuentes, Bolo, Philadelphia, PA
Ruben Garcia, Casa Teresa, Washington, D.C.
Fernando Gonzalez, 2Fifty Barbeque, Riverdale, MD and Washington, DC
David Viana, Lita, Aberdeen, NJ
Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)
Salvador Alamilla, Amano, Caldwell, ID
Erasmo Casiano and Diego Coconati, Lucina Eatery & Bar, Denver,
Best Chef: New York State
Efrén Hernández, Casa Susanna, Leeds
Giovanni Cervantes, Carnitas Ramirez, New York, NY
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)
Janet Becerra, Pancita, Seattle, WA
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)
Melissa Araujo, Alma Cafe, New Orleans, LA
Ana Castro, Acamaya, New Orleans, LA
Kevin Garcia, La Faena AgroCocina, Guaynabo, PR
Gabriel Hernandez, Verde Mesa, San Juan, PR
Angel David Moreno Zayas, El Gallo Pinto, Guayama, PR
Carol Reyes, Bóveda, San Juan, PR
Rafael Rios, Yeyo's El Alma de Mexico, Bentonville, AR
Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
Julio Hernandez, Maíz de la Vida, Nashville, TN
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)
Jose Contreras, Amelia's Mexican Kitchen, Tucson, AZ
DJ Flores, Milpa, Las Vegas, NV
Kattia Rojas, Buen Provecho, Albuquerque, NM
Fernando Ruiz, Escondido, Santa Fe, NM
Sarah Thompson, Casa Playa, Las Vegas, NV
Best Chef: Texas
Thomas Bille, Belly of the Beast, Spring, TX
Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó, Houston, TX
Leo Davila, Stixs & Stone, San Antonio, TX
Beatriz Martines, Xalisko, The Woodlands, TX
Emil Oliva, Leche de Tigre, San Antonio, TX
Anais Paniagua and Iris Rojas, Doña Maria, Irving, TX
Regino Rojas, Purépecha, Dallas, TX
Alex Sarmiento and Brenda Sarmiento, El Pastor Es Mi Señor, San Antonio, TX
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