Multiple chefs and businesses from Michigan and Ohio are semifinalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards, which recognize outstanding places and people for their contributions to the U.S. culinary industry.
According to a press release from the James Beard Foundation, the awards "are among the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors. The James Beard Awards honor those who are creating exceptional food, food media content, and better food systems, while demonstrating a commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive."
Beard was a pioneering chef, educator, writer and television personality in the American food industry in the mid-1900s, according to his biography on the foundation's website.
Nominees will be announced April 3 and the winners will be celebrated on June 10 at a ceremony in Chicago. A list of semifinalists in Michigan and Ohio for various awards is below:
Outstanding Restaurateur: Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere of Baobab Fare in Detroit
The East African restaurant is located at 6568 Woodward Ave., Suite 100, about three miles north of downtown Detroit.
According to the foundation, the Outstanding Restaurateur award is for "a restaurateur who uses their establishment(s) as a vehicle for building community, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship and integrity in restaurant operations, and is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture while contributing positively to their broader community."
Emerging Chef: Rocky Coronado of Nepantla in Detroit
The Mexican restaurant, which has an exclusively vegan menu, is located at 5410 Vernor Highway in the city's Central Southwest neighborhood.
According to the foundation, the Emerging Chef award is for "a chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come while contributing positively to their broader community."
Outstanding Bakery: Shatila Bakery in Dearborn, Mich.
The Middle Eastern bakery is located at 14300 W. Warren Ave. in Dearborn.
According to the foundation, the Outstanding Bakery award is for "a baker of breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations while contributing positively to its broader community."
Folk is a cafe located at 1701 Trumbull, about a mile west of downtown Detroit in the city's Corktown neighborhood.
Spencer is a wine shop and restaurant located at 113 E. Liberty St., about half a mile west of the University of Michigan campus.
According to the foundation, the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program award is for "a restaurant that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the pairing of wine and other beverages with food while contributing positively to its broader community. This includes the selection, preparation, and serving of wine, cocktails, spirits, coffee, tea, beer, or any other beverage with outstanding hospitality and service that helps inform and enhance a customer’s appreciation of the beverage(s). Ethical sourcing and positive contributions to the broader community will also be considered."
The James Beard Foundation also gives out regional Best Chef awards. Ohio and Michigan are in the Great Lakes region along with Illinois and Indiana. 11 of the 20 semifinalists are chefs in Ohio and Michigan:
- Avishar Barua, Joya’s, Worthington, Ohio
- Erik Bentz and Elaine Uykimpang Bentz, Cafe Mochiko, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Vinnie Cimino, Cordelia, Cleveland, Ohio
- Jeffery Harris, Nolia Kitchen, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Doug Hewitt, Freya, Detroit, MI
- Ji Hye Kim, Miss Kim, Ann Arbor, MI
- Dan Klenotic, Bellflower, Ypsilanti, MI
- BJ Lieberman, Chapman's Eat Market, Columbus, OH
- Jose Salazar, Mita’s, Cincinnati, OH
- Hajime Sato, Sozai, Clawson, MI
- John Yelinek, Ladder 4 Wine Bar, Detroit, MI
