NEW ORLEANS – Six New Orleans chefs have scored nominations as semifinalists in the James Beard Foundation Awards, while seven other popular local restaurants are singled out for their food, wine and service, in the nominations announced Wednesday.
Former Beard Award winner Donald Link, of Herbsaint and Cochon fame, is nominated in the Outstanding Chef category. He is one of 20 nominees in that category from across the country for the awards considered the "Oscars" of the food and restaurant world.
Four local chefs are up for the Best Chef honor in the South, including Justin Devillier of La Petite Grocery, John Harris of Lilette, Commander’s Palace chef Tory McPhail and Alon Shaya of Domenica.
McPhail and Harris were also nominated last year in the category that was ultimately won by Cochon’s Stephen Stryjewski.
Shaya’s partner in Domenica, John Besh is honored with a semifinalist award in the Outstanding Restaurant category for his flagship New Orleans restaurant, August.
Arnaud’s French 75 Bar and Cure are both nominated for their bar and cocktail service in a new Beard Award category. Emeril’s is also nominated for its wine program.
Brigtsen’s and Clancy’s scored nominations for outstanding service.
Gautreau’s chef Sue Zemanick is once again nominated for Rising Star Chef of the Year. She has been a finalist the previous three years.
Narrowed down from this list of semifinalists, the award finalists are announced in March, with the winners presented May 7.
