The James Beard Foundation’s nominations for this year’s best of the best have been announced. The Academy Awards of the culinary world made a splash in our local dining scene with 14 nods. Yes, most of them are in Miami but a few restaurants in Broward and Palm Beach counties made the list including Rick Mace at Tropical Smokehouse, Jeremy and Cindy Bearman at Oceano Kitchen, Pushkar Marathe of Stage and Lojo Washington at Queen of Sheeba who all were nominated within the Best Chef in the South category. Congratulations to all the nominees!
Best Chef in the South
Jeremy and Cindy Bearman at Oceano Kitchen, Lantana
Rick Mace at Tropical Smokehouse, West Palm Beach
Pushkar Marathe at Stage, Palm Beach Gardens
Lojo Washington at Queen of Sheeba, West Palm Beach
Timon Balloo at The Katherine, Fort Lauderdale
Fernando, Nando and Valerie Chang at Itamae, Miami
Outstanding Restaurateur
Mohamed Ali Alkassar and Niven Patel for Ghee Indian Kitchen, Orno and Mamey, Miami
Outstanding Chef
Michael Schwartz for Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Miami
Outstanding Restaurant
Ariete, Miami
Emerging Chef
Akino West at Rosie’s, Miami
Outstanding Bakery
Zak the Baker, Miami
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Manuel and Jesus Brazon at Caracas Bakery, Doral
Outstanding Wine or Beverage Program
Macchialina, Miami Beach
Outstanding Bar
Café La Trova, Miami
