San Antonio is holding its own on this year’s list of semifinalists for the James Beard Awards. Released today, the group includes five nominations split between three nominees for Best Chef: Texas and two nominees for national award categories.
The local nominees for Best Chef: Texas are:
- Christopher Cullum, Cullum’s Attaboy
- Andrew Ho, Andrew Samia, and Sean Wen, Curry Boys BBQ
- Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin, Best Quality Daughter
The nominees in the national categories are:
- Outstanding Restaurant: Mixtli
- Outstanding Chef: David Kirkland and Ernest Servantes, Burnt Bean Co. (Seguin)
Considered the Oscars of the food world, the awards recognize excellence by chefs and other culinary professionals in a wide range of categories ranging from Outstanding Chef to Best New Restaurant. The winner must also have “demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive,” according to the organization’s website. The awards also include media categories that will be announced on April 30. Recipients of the coveted America’s Classic award will be announced on February 28.
Elsewhere in Texas, Austin has nine nominations, Dallas boasts eight nominees, and Houston received 11.
San Antonio received two fewer nominations this year than in 2023. Three are repeats: a shared nomination by Andrew Ho, Andrew Samia, and Sean Wen; another shared by David Kirkland and Ernest Servantes; and Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin. Kirkland and Servantes made it to the final round, but none of the nominees won. (James Beard awards nominees are never hurting for press, anyway, so just a nomination is more than halfway to a win.)
Finalists will be announced on April 3. The Foundation will reveal its winners at an awards ceremony on June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
That's quite the stack.Hagan Rivas Marketing and Media
Camp Outpost has a signature look.Hagan Rivas Marketing and Media