2 California chefs, 1 restaurant take home 2023 James Beard awards
Natalie Neysa AlundThree of the best chefs and restaurants in California took home some of the food industry’s most coveted titles Monday night when The James Beard Foundation presented its culinary awards for 2023.
The flagship ceremony honoring the winners − often dubbed the Oscars of the food world – was held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Top prize winners included:
- Outstanding Chef: Rob Rubba, Oyster Oyster, Washington, D.C.
- Outstanding Restaurant: Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia
- Best New Restaurant: Kann, Portland, Oregon
"It is an honor to celebrate such an inspiring group of storytellers, whose work will continue to impact us far beyond today," Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, said in a statement released by the national non-profit organization. “Similar to the uniting power of food, these winners have connected and captivated us through their words across history, people, and place."
Here are the 2023 California's winners and nominees:
2023 California Winners
- Best Chef: California: Justin Pichetrungsi, Anajak Thai, Sherman Oaks, Calif.
- Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles
- Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: Ototo, Los Angeles
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2023 California nominees
- Outstanding Chef: Niki Nakayama, n/naka, Los Angeles, CA
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Greg Dulan, Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen, Dulan's on Crenshaw, and Dulanville, Los Angeles, CA
- Emerging Chef: Rashida Holmes, Bridgetown Roti, Los Angeles, CA
- Outstanding Pastry Chef of Baker: Vince Bugtong, ABACA, San Francisco, CA
- Outstanding Wine and Other Beverage Program: Lazy Bear, San Francisco, CA
Regional California nominees for Best Chef: California
- Gilberto Cetina Jr., Holbox, Los Angeles, CA
- Kyle and Katina Connaughton, SingleThread, Healdsburg, CA
- Brandon Hayato Go, Hayato, Los Angeles, CA
- Carlos Salgado, Taco María, Costa Mesa, CA
What do the James Beard awards recognize?
The first James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards were given in 1991. The prestigious awards returned last June after a two-year hiatus.
The awards recognize "exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive," the organization said in a release in January.
To see the full list of winners click here.
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Contributing: Charles Trepany.
Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.