Courtesy of El Taco de Mexico
El Taco de Mexico in Denver
Many Mexican- and Latin-inspired restaurants joined the list of outstanding restaurants and culinary professionals named as finalists in the 2020 James Beard Foundation Awards. el Restaurante congratulates the following restaurants and chefs on the list, which was announced on May 6. Several, we’re proud to report, have been featured in el Restaurante (see the ones in bold)!
Outstanding Restaurant
Jaleo, D.C. jaleo.com
Outstanding Restaurateur
Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer, JK Food Group, Boston (Little Donkey, Toro, Coppa) jkfoodgroup.com
Alex Raij and Eder Montero, NYC (La Vara, Saint Julivert Fisherie, Txikito)
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
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: South (AL, AR, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, FL, LA, MS)
Jose Enrique, Jose Enrique, San Juan, PR joseenriquepr.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)
Silvana Salcido Esparza, Barrio Café Gran Reserva, (Read our article about Chef Salcido Esparza here) Phoenix barriocafe.com
Jeff Smedstad, Elote Cafe, Sedona, AZ elotecafe.com
2020 Leadership Award Honorees
Caleb Zigas, Executive Director, La Cocina (Read our article about La Cocina here) (lacocinasf.org)
2020 James Beard Foundation America’s Classics
El Taco de Mexico (Read about el Taco de Mexico here)
Denver
Owner: Sasha Zanabria
Media awards finalists were announced, too. Those of particular interest to Mexican/Latin food industry include:
Book Awards—Photography
Oaxaca: Home Cooking from the Heart of Mexico
Quentin Bacon (Abrams Books)
Broadcast Media—Documentary
Nothing Fancy: Diana Kennedy
Premiered at SXSW in March 2019
Online Video—on Location
Eat, Drink, Share, Puerto Rico Food – El Burén de Lula
Airs on: YouTube
Television Program—in studio or fixed location
Pati's Mexican Table – A Local's Tour of Culiacán
Airs on: WETA; distributed nationally by American Public Television
Craig Claiborne Distinguished Restaurant Review Award
“The 20 Most Delicious Things at Mercado Little Spain”
The New York Times
Foodways
“An Indigenous Community in Mexico Finds Its Voice — and Strength — in Wild Mushrooms”
Michael Snyder
Los Angeles Times