The James Beard Foundation — often dubbed “the Oscars of the food world” — recently released its list of chef and corresponding restaurant semifinalists for this year’s “Best Chef: Southeast” award. Established in 1990, the James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards are one of five separate recognition programs of the James Beard Awards.
Today’s article covers James Beard’s Southeast category, which includes Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Next week, we’ll be digging into the nominees from The South, which includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico.
The finalists will be announced on April 3, and the big winners will be announced on June 10 at a ceremony in Chicago — so stay tuned! In the meantime, read more below about each Southeastern restaurant that made the cut and the chefs behind each of the establishments being honored.
Puma Yu’s
Location: Athens, GA
More info: pumayus.com
Pete Amadhanirundr heads the kitchen of Puma Yu’s, a cocktail bar/Thai-influenced restaurant in the bustling college town of Athens, GA. Amadhanirundr, born in Thailand, serves up delightful dishes like Pork Belly Noodle Soup dressed up with crispy pork belly, ginger, scallion, and copious amounts of chili crisp. The cocktail menu isn’t huge, but it’s well thought out with a focus on Japanese spirits, like the restaurant’s version of a Whiskey Ginger featuring Japanese whiskey and yuzu liqueur.
Tio Lucho’s
Location: Atlanta, GA
More info: tioluchos.com
Arnaldo Castillo opened Atlanta’s first Peruvian restaurant, Tio Lucho’s, in honor of his late father. Pisco sours with a Peruvian flag drawn on their surface are a big deal here, and Pisco, a grape-based Peruvian distillate, is incorporated into various drinks throughout the menu. Chef Castillo highlights Southern ingredients and local purveyors in his dishes, including the gorgeously garnished ceviches, which highlight elements like fresh Georgia shrimp and Sea Island peas.
Bomb Biscuit Co.
Location: Atlanta, GA
More info: bombbiscuitatl.com
Since 2016, Erika Council has gained widespread acclaim as Atlanta’s biscuit queen. She’s ventured into biscuit delivery and pop-up events and even collaborated on biscuit breakfasts with renowned chefs. Today, Bomb Biscuit Co.’s brick-and-mortar establishment is famous for serving the epitome of a Southern biscuit — flaky and tender with a buttery, subtly tangy flavor. Indulge in biscuit sandwiches adorned with regional classics such as buttermilk-fried chicken, country ham, sausage gravy, and pimento cheese.
Talat Market
Location: Atlanta, GA
More info: talatmarketatl.com
Nestled within a modest diner in Candler Park, you’ll arguably find some of the best Thai food in the South. Led by Chefs Rod Lassiter and Parnass Savang, Talat Market offers a rotating menu of fresh and original “Thai-Georgian” cuisine, often including the chefs’ famous crispy rice salad and a variation of their addicting red curry. Everything is meant to be shared, and the dessert is not to be missed. The lime sorbet with fried sweet potatoes is as good as it sounds.
Southern National
Location: Atlanta, GA
More info: southernational.com
Helmed by Chef Duane Nutter, Southern National initially resided in Mobile, Alabama. Chef Nutter decided to close the Mobile location in 2022, relocating the restaurant to Atlanta’s vibrant Summerhill neighborhood. His culinary creations are heavily influenced by his journeys throughout the Northwest, his birthplace (Louisiana), Kentucky, and the broader Southern region, including, of course, Atlanta. Start with the bread service, which includes sheet-pan biscuits with pepper jelly and jalapeño johnnycakes with cane sugar syrup butter.
The Fat Lamb
Location: Louisville, KY
More info: fatlamblouisville.com
Dallas McGarity, chef and owner of The Fat Lamb, presents contemporary yet inviting comfort food, drawing inspiration from various corners of the world. Established in 2016 within the bustling Highlands neighborhood of Louisville, Chef McGarity and his beloved establishment have garnered numerous accolades, including a victory on Food Network’s CHOPPED in 2019. Order the creole mustard filet mignon with garam masala sweet potatoes and a dark soy bordelaise.
The Fat Lamb’s menu showcases modern but approachable comfort food. Image: The Fat Lamb
Jimmy Pearls
Location: Charlotte, NC
More info: jimmypearls.com
Oscar Johnson and Daryl Cooper, both Virginia natives, serve as the chefs and owners of Jimmy Pearls in Charlotte, North Carolina. Together, they passionately curate Southern cuisine with a focus on Coastal and Piedmont Virginia culinary traditions, infused with narratives from the African diaspora. Their signature fish platter comes with creamed corn fritters, field pea slaw, and white bread.
The Hackney
Location: Washington, NC
More info: thehackneywashingtonnc.com
You’ll find The Hackney in a restored 1922 bank building in the heart of historic downtown Washington, North Carolina. Executive Chef Jamie Davis leads the kitchen team, crafting an eclectic Southern- and seafood-focused menu. The dishes represent a fusion of cuisines that have influenced the South, including French, Spanish, African, Native American, and English flavors. The menu is intentionally concise, fitting on one page to prioritize freshness and locality of ingredients and minimize waste. The shrimp and grits are a can’t-miss.
Plant
Location: Asheville, NC
More info: plantisfood.com
No longer are we confined to the bland vegetarian options of the past! Since 2011, Asheville’s Plant has offered an ever-evolving, chef-driven vegan cuisine boasting vibrant flavors and enticing textures. Under the guidance of Chef Jason Sellers, the menu showcases various dishes like a crispy mushroom mole and a vegan “cheese” plate. Additionally, the wine list is exceptional, listing only sustainable wines that are either unfined or filtered with a plant-based method.
Dalaya Thai Cuisine
Location: Sylva, NC
More info: dalaya-sylva.com
Discover the beautiful cuisine from Northern Thailand in the sleepy mountain town of Sylva, North Carolina. Kanlaya “Gun” Supachana prepares traditional dishes she grew up enjoying in her home country at her restaurant, Dalaya Thai Cuisine. The chef says that authentic northern Thai cuisine places a greater emphasis on flavor rather than heat and spice. Her specialty, Khao Soi, features a rich coconut curry soup studded with dark meat chicken, crispy thin egg noodles, tangy pickled mustard greens, shallots, sweet soy sauce, and a touch of chili oil.
Cheeni Indian Food Emporium
Location: Raleigh, NC
More info: cheeniraleigh.com
Cheeni Indian Food Emporium offers traditional tiffin, which refers to Indian snacks. The restaurant also features imported filter coffee from India, aromatic masala chai (evoking the lively street stalls), and a rendition of Indian street-style toast, popularly recognized as “chili cheese toast.” Hailing from South India, Chef Preeti Waas brings out the essence of Cheeni: a fusion of Indian and American cultures.
Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles
Location: Columbia, SC
More info: kikischickenandwaffles.com
Established by Kitwanda “Kiki” and Tyrone Cyrus, Kiki’s restaurant opened in 2012, offering soul food dishes that have satisfied customers ever since. The famed chicken and waffles come with a Belgian waffle paired with your choice of four fried wings or two tender chicken breasts.
City Limits Barbeque
Location: West Columbia, SC
More info: citylimitsq.com
City Limits Barbeque, conceived by Owner and Pitmaster Robbie Robinson, has been reshaping the local barbecue landscape since it emerged as a pop-up in 2016. It is a testament to the harmonious fusion of South Carolina and Texas barbecue traditions, with menu items ranging from handcrafted sausages to brisket and chopped pork.
Chubby Fish
Location: Charleston, SC
More info: chubbyfishcharleston.com
Chubby Fish offers some of the finest seafood in Charlotte — a town known for its seafood-centric culinary scene. Thanks to Chef James London, the evolving menu at Chubby Fish is infused with a global flair. You’ll find combinations of spices and herbs inspired by regions ranging from North Africa to the tropics, all centered around seasonal ingredients sourced from the surrounding Lowcountry.
The Obstinate Daughter
Location: Sullivan’s Island, SC
More info: theobstinatedaughter.com
Chef Jacques Larson leads this Sullivan’s Island establishment, featuring a menu centered around pizza and pasta, complemented by eclectic New American dishes. The interior of The Obstinate Daughter is adorned with rustic maritime decor, including ropes and exposed wood, while tapas-style plates guarantee a diverse array of flavors within a single meal.
Supper Club on 2nd
Location: Memphis, TN
More info: ilovesupperclub.com
Memphis’s Supper Club on 2nd offers a stylish, modern take on the traditional 1960s and ’70s supper clubs. Executive Chef Daris Leatherwood creates elevated, unexpected dishes like the “Deep Sea Lobster Dawg” with tempura-battered cold water lobster tail, spicy mayo, and a trio of sauces. But the proteins here truly take the stage, like a 40-ounce prime-grade bone-in tomahawk wrapped in edible 24-karat gold.
Locust
Location: Nashville, TN
More info: locustnashville.com
Opening in 2020, Chef Trevor Moran’s 12South hotspot quickly made a name for itself thanks to its Japanese-inspired dishes. Everything is wonderful, but it’s Moran’s dumplings that we can’t get enough of. The melt-in-your-mouth morsels are filled with an addicting succulent pork mixture. Fair warning: once you eat one, you won’t be able to stop.
International Market
Location: Nashville, TN
More info: im2nashville.com
Arnold Myint, known for his Top Chef stint, opened International Market with his sister Anna. Talk about continuing a legacy —the eatery sits across from the old location where they used to assist their late mother, Patti Myint, in cooking authentic Thai food. Half the menu consists of classic OG International Market dishes rooted in family recipes (like Patti’s famous Pad Thai). In contrast, the remaining half showcases Arnold’s experimentation with more modern interpretations of classic dishes.
1010 Bridge
Location: Charleston, WV
More info: 1010bridge.com
At 1010 Bridge, West Virginia native Chef Paul Smith honors his heritage through the traditions and flavors of Appalachia. He engages in conversations with West Virginia farmers and purveyors, crafting a seasonal menu inspired by these discussions. Anticipate exceptional hospitality, artisanal cocktails, and a rotating selection of dishes that rightfully elevate West Virginia as a prominent Southern food destination.
Sweet potato bread pudding is one of the most popular desserts at 1010 Bridge. Image: 1010 Bridge.
Appalachia Kitchen
Location: Snowshoe, WV
More info: appalachiakitchen.com
Executive Chef Scott MacGregor of Appalachia Kitchen upholds the legacy of offering fresh, innovative American cuisine with a distinct Appalachian twist. Everything from bread rolls to sauces and dressings to soups (including the stock) and desserts is crafted from scratch. Relish in offerings like smoked trout tartare, seared venison, and seasonal fruit cobbler while taking in views from the surrounding mountain town of Snowshoe.
Wishing the best of luck to these local chefs! To see the complete list of semifinalists, visit jamesbeard.org.
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