On Jan. 25, the James Beard Foundation announced a list of semifinalists for its award season, highlighting the outstanding talent in the food media and culinary industries. The awards also highlight commitments to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability and a culture where all can progress together. The list of semifinalists was announced earlier than expected, in contrast to past years when the semifinalist list was typically announced in February. The awards have often been compared to the Oscars for chefs, restaurants and other culinary-related businesses.
The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was established on Nov. 5, 1986, following the death of renowned chef, teacher and cookbook author James Beard. The organization’s goal is to celebrate, inspire and encourage the culture of American food and promote talent, equity and sustainability.
The awards ranged for restaurants across the entire nation. Rounding out the list for best chef in New York state was Geraldo Alcatraz of Aldama, a Mexican American restaurant that opened during the height of the pandemic in the summer of 2021 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn; it brings to life an elevated casual dining experience inspired by the dishes of his childhood growing up in the region of León, Mexico. Alcatraz brings a culinary experience that stands out from others with a unique twist to Mexican cuisine.
Outstanding restaurant semifinalists included Veselka, an Eastern European comfort food restaurant which saw a surge in business of support following the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war in Feb. 2022.
The restaurant informs patrons of how to help Ukraine and its people by presenting them with flyers at all tables before they receive a menu. In an interview for an article from food website Eater titled “Sutton’s Best Restaurants of 2022,” journalist Adam Friedlander spoke to the restaurant’s owner, Jason Birchard, who stated, “It’s not just a war against Ukraine; it’s a war against the free world.”
The restaurant, while not specifically Ukrainian as it offers a multitude of dishes across many cultures in Eastern Europe, has become a major staple of support in the New York City community against the war.
This year also saw a new category of awards announced, including a best bakery category which recognizes “bakers of breads, pastries or desserts that demonstrate consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality and operations, while contributing positively to [the] broader community.” The only semifinalist in New York happened to be She Wolf Bakery in Brooklyn, known for its classic approach to developing quality bread from scratch.
Following the release of this long list of semifinalists, a shortened list of finalists will be published on March 29, followed by the official awards ceremony in Chicago, Illinois, on June 5.
