Every Bay Area Talent Recognized As A James Beard Restaurant And Chef Award Semifinalist

Founded over 30 years ago, the James Beard Foundation celebrates and supports those in the food industry and pushes for new standards from which all can thrive. This year, the nonprofit organization has recognized several of the Bay Area’s own as semifinalists. The awards highlight exceptional talents in food, hospitality and other aspects of food culture, as well as being committed to values such as community, sustainability and equity. Click here for the full list of semifinalists.

Here, the Bay Area's top talents who were named as semifinalists.

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Outstanding Restaurateur

Willy Ng, Koi Palace, Dragon Beaux, and Palette Tea House, San Francisco

Outstanding Chef

Reem Assil, Reem’s, Oakland and San Francisco, CA

Emerging Chef

Crystal Wahpepah, Wahpepah’s Kitchen, Oakland, CA

David Yoshimura, Nisei, San Francisco

Best New Restaurant

ABACÁ, San Francisco

Horn BBQ, Oakland, CA

Outstanding Baker

Clement Hsu, Katherine Campecino-Wong, and James Wong, Breadbelly, San Francisco

Outstanding Hospitality

House of Prime Rib, San Francisco

Outstanding Wine Program

The Punchdown, Oakland, CA

Outstanding Bar Program

Friends and Family, Oakland, CA

Best Chef: California

Sylvan Mishima Brackett, Rintaro, San Francisco

Val M. Cantu, Californios, San Francisco

Srijith Gopinathan, Ettan, Palo Alto, CA

Brandon Jew, Mister Jiu’s, San Francisco

Heena Patel, Besharam, San Francisco

Melissa Perello, Octavia, San Francisco

James Syhabout, Commis, Oakland, CA

Pim Techamuanvivit, Nari, San Francisco