June 25, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

James Beard Foundation Unveils Semifinalists for 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards

Awards to Recognize Culinary Excellence and Commitment to Equity

The James Beard Foundation proudly unveiled the semifinalists for the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards, presented by Capital One. These prestigious awards, established in 1990 and first granted in 1991, acknowledge outstanding talent and accomplishments in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and the broader food system. The Foundation places a strong emphasis on recognizing individuals who showcase commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture fostering overall well-being.

Nominees for the various categories will be disclosed on Wednesday, April 3, creating anticipation for the culminating moment at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony scheduled for Monday, June 10. The ceremony will take place at the iconic Lyric Opera of Chicago.

The 2024 semifinalists span 22 categories, reflecting the diverse and dynamic landscape of the culinary world. For a sneak peek at the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists, see the list below. Among the list are some of the restaurants that are located on the West Side of Los Angeles or are fascinating enough to be mentioned here. 

Outstanding Restaurateur

  • Greg Dulan, Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen, Hotville Chicken, and DulanVILLE, Inglewood, CA

Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton

  • Jeremy Fox, Birdie G’s, Santa Monica, CA

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

  • Nicole Rucker, Fat + Flour, Los Angeles, CA 

Outstanding Hospitality presented by American Airlines

  • Luv2eat Thai Bistro, Los Angeles, CA 

Outstanding Bar

  • Esters Wine Shop & Bar, Santa Monica, CA 

Best Chef: California 

  • Diego Argoti, Poltergeist, Los Angeles, CA
  • Alex Garcia and Elvia Huerta, Evil Cooks, Los Angeles, CA
  • Alfonso “Poncho” Martinez, Poncho’s Tlayudas, Los Angeles, CA 
  • Lord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord, Los Angeles, CA

For more information about the James Beard Foundation and the awards, visit www.jamesbeard.org.

<>Related Posts

(Video) Food Fight: Chefs Join Forces to Raise Money to Protect Immigrant Families in Venice

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Estrano, Little Dynamite, Sunday Gravy, Kabob Senpai Answer the Call From Turk’s Pizza Party. Dave Turkel Put This Food Resistance...

(Video) This is Downtown Palisades Six Months After the Devastating Wildfires

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

With Only a Few Businesses Remaining and Reopened, The Once-Idyllic District is Still Mostly Charred Remains With Only a Few...

Former Ontrak CEO Sentenced to Prison in $12.5M Insider Trading Scheme

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

CEO Receives Federal Prison Sentence for Misusing Stock Trading Plans Terren Scott Peizer, the former CEO and board chairman of...

Planning Commission Approves 18-Story Residential Tower on 6th Street, Rejects Environmental Appeal

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

The 194-foot-tall building exceeds local height limits by 109 feet under California’s Density Bonus Law The Santa Monica Planning Commission...

Shooting at Waymo Car Injures Two Juveniles in Santa Monica

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

Preliminary findings suggest the shooting was a targeted, isolated incident stemming from a verbal altercation earlier that evening between the...

Sculptor-Designed Marina Del Rey Beach Home Hits Market for Nearly $10M

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

The four-bedroom, six-bathroom residence, known as Shore House, features black glass windows across two wings A 6,603-square-foot beachfront home, designed...

Downtown Santa Monica Landmark Faces Uncertainty as Loan Misses Maturity Deadline

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

$26.7M Santa Monica Office Loan Moves to Special Servicing Amid Cash Flow Shortfall Morningstar Credit reported that the loan tied...

Santa Monica to Begin AI-Powered Bus Lane Enforcement in July

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

The program follows a 45-day pilot conducted earlier this year along Lincoln Boulevard, where 511 potential violations were identified, though...

A.O.C. Brentwood to Close After 16 Years on San Vicente Boulevard

June 22, 2025

June 22, 2025

Chef Goin and Styne Cite Unsustainably High Rent in Decision to Close  A.O.C. Brentwood, the acclaimed Westside outpost from James...

Malibu Traffic Delays Expected: REPORT

June 21, 2025

June 21, 2025

The warning applies to the first weekend of summer Transportation officials are warning travelers on the Pacific Coast Highway through...

Strongman to Pull 34,680-Pound Bus at Santa Monica Pier

June 21, 2025

June 21, 2025

Licis, also the 2022 “Arnold Strongman Classic” champion, will undertake the feat to showcase his strength  Strongman Martins Licis, the...

All Aboard to LAX: Metro Opens Game-Changing Transit Hub Ahead of Global Events

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

 New LAX/Metro Transit Center Comes Closer to Connecting Metro Directly to LAX The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)...

New Leadership at Samohi: Jane Han Named House Principal

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Equity-Focused Educator Joins Samohi Leadership Team By Diana Bouchaaya, SMMUSD Communications Specialist The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board...

Food Fight on the Venice Boardwalk: Chefs Stand Up for Immigrants with Food

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Turk’s Pizza Party Rallies Top Local Eateries for an Immigrant Rights Fundraiser In a bold display of culinary activism, Turk’s...

Weekend Lane Closures on PCH in Malibu Could Snarl Summer Beach Traffic

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Army Corps Work Triggers Weekend Closure on Pacific Coast Highway Motorists traveling along Pacific Coast Highway this weekend should prepare...