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Many Mexican- and Latin-inspired restaurants joined the list of outstanding restaurants and culinary professionals named as semifinalists in the 2020 James Beard Foundation Awards. el Restaurante congratulates the following restaurants and chefs on the list, which was announced on February 27. Several, we’re proud to report, have been featured in el Restaurante (see the ones in bold)!
Best New Restaurant
Cocina al Fondo, San Juan, PR cocinaalfondo.com
Tzuco, Chicago (read our article about Chicago that includes an interview with Carlos Gaytan, owner of Tzuco) tzuco.com
Vecina, Phoenix vecinaphx.com
Outstanding Baker
Don Guerra, Barrio Bread, Tucson, www.barriobread.com
Outstanding Bar Program
Clavel Mezcaleria, Baltimore http://barclavel.com/
Colita, Minneapolis colitampls.com
La Factoría, San Juan, PR colectivoicaro.com/bars
Las Almas Rotas, Dallas http://lasalmasrotas.com/
Leyenda, Brooklyn, NY leyendabk.com
Outstanding Chef
Maricel Presilla, Cucharamama, Hoboken, NJ, https://www.cucharamama.com/
Outstanding Hospitality
Hugo’s, Houston, (read our article quoting Chef Hugo here), http://www.hugosrestaurant.net/
Mi Nidito Restaurant, Tucson, https://www.miniditorestaurant.com/
Outstanding Restaurant
Jaleo, D.C. jaleo.com
La Morada, NYC lamoradanyc.com
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation, Houston ninfas.com
Outstanding Restaurateur
Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer, JK Food Group, Boston (Little Donkey, Toro, Coppa) jkfoodgroup.com
Jay McSharry, Portsmouth, NH (Jumpin' Jay's Fish Cafe, Vida Cantina, Moxy, and others)
Alex Raij and Eder Montero, NYC (La Vara, Saint Julivert Fisherie, Txikito)
Tracy Vaught, H Town Restaurant Group, Houston (Hugo's, Xochi, Caracol, and others) htownrestaurantgroup.com
Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Producer
David Favela, Border X Brewing, San Diego www.borderxbrewing.com
Best Chef: California
Val M. Cantu, Californios, San Francisco californiossf.com
Rocío Camacho, La Diosa de los Moles, Paramount, CA www.ladiosadelosmolesinc.com
Carlos Salgado, Taco María, Costa Mesa, CA tacomaria.com
Karen Taylor Waikiki, El Molino Central, Boyes Hot Springs, CA elmolinocentral.com
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
Victor Albisu, Poca Madre, Washington, D.C. pocamadredc.com
Cristina Martinez, South Philly Barbacoa, Philadelphia http://southphillybarbacoa.com/
Best Chef: New York State
Daniela Soto-Innes, (Read more about Chef Soto-Innes here) ATLA, NYC atlanyc.com
Alex Stupak, Empellón, (Read our article about Chef Stupak here) NYC empellon.com
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
David Vargas, Vida Cantina, Portsmouth, NH vidacantinanh.com
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)
Chad White, Zona Blanca, Spokane, WA limefishsalt.com
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, FL, LA, MS)
Jose Enrique, Jose Enrique, San Juan, PR joseenriquepr.com
Natalia Lucía Vallejo, Cocina al Fondo, San Juan, PR cocinaalfondo.com
Rafael Rios, Yeyo's Mexican Grill, Bentonville, AR yeyosnwa.com
Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
Katie Button, Cúrate, Asheville, NC http://katiebuttonrestaurants.com/curate/
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)
Maria Mazon, BOCA Tacos y Tequila, Tucson, AZ bocatacos.com
Fernando Olea, Sazón Restaurant, Sante Fe sazonsantafe.com
Silvana Salcido Esparza, Barrio Café Gran Reserva, (Read our article about Chef Salcido Esparza here) Phoenix barriocafe.com
Samantha Sanz, Talavera, Scottsdale, AZ fourseasons.com/scottsdale/dining/restaurants/talavera/
Jeff Smedstad, Elote Cafe, Sedona, AZ elotecafe.com
Best Chef: Texas
Alex Paredes, Carnitas Lonja, San Antonio www.facebook.com/Lonja17/
Regino Rojas, Revolver Taco Lounge, Dallas revolvertacolounge.com
Iliana de la Vega, El Naranjo, Austin elnaranjorestaurant.com