The James Beard Foundation unveiled its full list of James Beard Awards semifinalists today, Jan. 22, with more than a dozen Los Angeles County chefs and restaurants receiving recognition.
Among the semifinalists for Best Chef: California include Evan Algorri of Ètra, an Italian eatery in Melrose Hill; Danielle Duran Zecca of Amiga Amore, a Mexican-Italian restaurant in Highland Park; Elvia Garcia and Alex Garcia of taco spot Evil Cooks; Melissa López of Barra Santos in Cypress Park; Charles Namba of Downtown LA’s Camélia; Kwang Uh of Baroo; and Jon Yao of Kato found at ROW DTLA.
The L.A .chefs were named in the same category alongside fellow Southern Californians Daniel Castillo of Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano, Roberto Alcocer of Oceanside’s Valle and Tara Monsod of Animae in San Diego.
Daisy Ryan and Greg Ryan of Companion Hospitality (which includes Bell’s, Bar Le Cote and Priedite Barbecue) Los Alamos were listed in the Outstanding Restaurateur category.
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Other area semifinalists include Gilberto Cetina of seafood spot Holbox for Outstanding Chef, Santa Monica’s Pasjoli for Outstanding Restaurant, Jesus “Chuy” Cervantes of Damian for Emerging Chef, Bridgetown Roti for Best New Restaurant and Nicole Rucker of Fat + Flour for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.
Long Beach’s Gusto Bread was listed for Outstanding Bakery, République for Outstanding Hospitality, Thunderbolt for Outstanding Bar and Redbird’s Tobin Shea for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.
Other Southern California people and places named today include Strong Water in Anaheim for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program and San Diego’s Roma Norte for Best New Bar.
The semifinalists are now up for possible finalist consideration, which will be announced in April.
The James Beard Foundation, named after chef and cookbook author James Andrews Beard, started handing out awards for…
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