The best of the best across the culinary world gathered at the Lyric Opera in Chicago to celebrate outstanding chefs, restaurants and other industry talent demonstrating excellence in the field. The awards “recognize exceptional talent in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.” From fine dining establishments to casual community icons, these are the 2023 James Beard Award winners.
2023 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Winners
Outstanding Chef
A chef who sets high culinary standards and has served as a positive example for other food professionals, while contributing positively to their broader community.
Rob Rubba, Oyster Oyster, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Restaurant Presented by Acqua Panna Natural Spring Water
A restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community.
Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia, PA
Best New Restaurant Presented by BentoBox
A restaurant opened between January 1 through September 30, 2022, that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community, and seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come.
Kann, Portland, OR
Outstanding Restaurateur
A restaurateur who uses their establishment(s) as a vehicle for building community, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship and integrity in restaurant operations, and is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture, while contributing positively to their broader community.
Ellen Yin, High Street Hospitality Group (Fork, a.kitchen + bar, High Street, and others), Philadelphia, PA
Emerging Chef Presented by S.Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water
A chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come, while contributing positively to their broader community.
Damarr Brown, Virtue, Chicago, IL
Outstanding Bakery Presented by Guinness
New in 2023, this category recognizes a baker of breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community.
Yoli Tortilleria, Kansas City, MO
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
The former Outstanding Pastry Chef and Outstanding Baker categories have been combined into one, Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. This category recognizes a pastry chef or baker who makes desserts, pastries, or breads. Candidate demonstrates exceptional skills, can be affiliated with any food business and does not need a brick-and-mortar presence, and contributes positively to their broader community.
Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles, CA
Outstanding Hospitality Presented by American Airlines
A restaurant, bar, or other food and drinking establishment that fosters a sense of hospitality among its customers and staff, that serves as a beacon for the community, and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community.
The Quarry, Monson, ME
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Expanded from Outstanding Wine Program this year to include other beverages, this award is presented to a restaurant that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the pairing of wine and other beverages with food, while contributing positively to its broader community. This includes the selection, preparation, and serving of wine, cocktails, spirits, coffee, tea, beer or any other beverage with outstanding hospitality and service that help inform and enhance a customer’s appreciation of the beverage(s). Ethical sourcing is considered.
OTOTO, Los Angeles, CA
Outstanding Bar Presented by Hilton
Expanded to include wine and other beverages, this award is presented to a wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, coffee bar, or any other business whose primary offering is beverage. Those recognized demonstrate consistent excellence in curating a selection or in the preparation of drinks, along with outstanding atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community.
Bar Leather Apron, Honolulu, HI
Best Chefs Presented by Capital One (by region)
Chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities, and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions, while contributing positively to their broader community.
Best Chef: California
Justin Pichetrungsi, Anajak Thai, Sherman Oaks, CA
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, Kasama, Chicago, IL
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon, Kalaya, Philadelphia, PA
Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
Itaru Nagano and Andrew Kroeger, Fairchild, Madison, WI
Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)
Kris Komori, KIN, Boise, ID
Best Chef: New York State
Junghyun Park, Atomix, New York, NY
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
Sherry Pocknett, Sly Fox Den Too, Charlestown, RI
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)
Vince Nguyen, Berlu, Portland, OR
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)
Natalia Vallejo, Cocina al Fondo, San Juan, PR
Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
Terry Koval, The Deer and the Dove, Decatur, GA
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)
Andrew Black, Grey Sweater, Oklahoma City, OK
Best Chef: Texas
Benchawan Jabthong Painter, Street to Kitchen, Houston, TX