If they weren’t over already, the days of Arizona being remotely regarded as a culinary backwater are demonstrably in the past. Or should be, at least. Don’t believe me? Check out the semifinalists for this year’s James Beard Awards. There’s at least one Arizona nominee in every delicious category (not counting the regional categories, obviously).
Check them out, then make reservations:
Best New Restaurant:
Vecina, Phoenix
Outstanding Baker:
Don Guerra; Barrio Bread, Tucson
Outstanding Bar Program:
Little Rituals, Phoenix
Outstanding Chef:
Nobuo Fukuda; Nobuo at Teeter House, Phoenix
Outstanding Hospitality:
Kai, Phoenix
Outstanding Pastry Chef:
Country Velador; Super Chunk Sweets & Treats, Scottsdale
Outstanding Restaurant:
Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix
Outstanding Restaurateur:
Mike Mastro and Jeff Mastro; Prime Steak Concepts, Scottsdale (Dominick’s Steakhouse, Steak 44, Ocean 44)
Outstanding Wine Program:
FnB, Scottsdale
Outstanding Wine, Spirits and Beer Producer:
Amanda and Stephen Paul; Whiskey del Bac, Tucson
Rising Star Chef of the Year:
Cassie Shortino; Tratto, Phoenix
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK):
Stephen Jones; The Larder + Delta, Phoenix
Bernie Kantak; Citizen Public House, Scottsdale
Shinji Kurita, Shinbay Omakase Room, Scottsdale
Danielle Leoni; The Breadfruit & Rum Bar, Phoenix
Maria Mazon; BOCA Tacos y Tequila, Tucson
Chrysa Robertson; Rancho Pinot, Scottsdale
Silvana Salcido Esparza; Barrio Café Gran Reserva, Phoenix
Samantha Sanz; Talavera, Scottsdale
Jeff Smedstad, Elote Café, Sedona
Ryan Swanson, Kai, Gila River Indian Community, Chandler
The full list of semifinalists can be found at jamesbeard.org. The James Beard Awards Gala will be at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on Monday, May 4.
