Texas thundered into the James Beard Foundation’s semifinalists list of outstanding chefs and restaurants, with Houston leading the pack with a record number of nominations for the country’s most prestigious culinary honor.
The “long list” of nominations for the James Beard Foundation’s chef and restaurant awards, considered the Oscars of the food world, recognized 11 local talents. The semifinalist list will be whittled down to finalists, which will be announced live in Houston March 27; the awards will be presented on May 6 in Chicago.
Anvil Bar & Refuge, headed by bartending giant Bobby Heugel, makes the semifinalist list again for Outstanding Bar Program. And Pappas Bros. Steakhouse completes the Houston cavalcade by making the Outstanding Wine Program semifinals.