Skip to content

Food & Drink

Here Are Seattle’s 2019 James Beard Awards Semifinalists

17 local chefs, restaurants and producers made the cut

By Chelsea Lin February 27, 2019

2CROP

It’s that time again: The James Beard Foundation today announced its 2019 semifinalists for the prestigious James Beard Awards. Think of this as the food world’s answer to the Oscars. Last year Edouardo Jordan took home two. And this year, the Seattle area has some pretty solid representation—it reads a bit like a who’s who of our favorite restaurants (in fact, many of these places are on our 100 Best Things to Eat list). Finalists will be announced March 27; winners announced at the big Chicago gala on May 6. But for now, here’s who to root for:

Best New Restaurant: Sawyer

Outstanding Bakers: Kit Schumann and Jesse Schumann (Sea Wolf Bakers)

Outstanding Bar Program: No Anchor

Outstanding Chef: Renee Erickson (Bateau) and Shiro Kashiba (Sushi Kashiba)

Outstanding Pastry Chef: Junko Mine (Cafe Juanita)

Outstanding Restaurant: Cafe Juanita

Outstanding Restaurateur: Ethan Stowell (Ethan Stowell Restaurants: Ballard Pizza Co., Bramling Cross, Cortina and others)

Outstanding Service: Canlis

Outstanding Wine Program: L’Oursin

Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Producer: Mhairi Voelsgen (broVo Spirits)

Rising Star Chef of the Year: Shota Nakajima (Adana)

Best Chef: Northwest: Logan Cox (Homer); Eric Donnelly (RockCreek); Eric Johnson (Stateside); Taichi Kitamura (Sushi Kappo Tamura); Mutsuko Soma (Kamonegi); Brady Williams (Canlis); Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi (Joule)

Follow Us

Where To Find ‘Authentic’ Mexican Food in Seattle

Where To Find ‘Authentic’ Mexican Food in Seattle

A primer ahead of Cinco de Mayo

With Cinco de Mayo upon us May 5, thoughts turn to Mexican cuisine. What is “authentic” Mexican cuisine, anyways? Gino Garcia, who grew up California’s Central Valley and traces his family roots to Mexico going back more than a century, says it’s a futile exercise to search for “real” Mexican cuisine in Seattle. “I don’t bother much with authenticity,” says Garcia, who is…

Seattle Restaurant Roundup: Tourists, Canadians, Hot Honey, and Cider

Seattle Restaurant Roundup: Tourists, Canadians, Hot Honey, and Cider

Remember when hot honey burst onto the dining scene last year? You’d find it drizzled on pizza, slathered on fried chicken, even as a dipping option for cornbread. But if the temperature has turned down a bit for you on this trendy condiment, let Queen Bee’s Hot Honey — made and served up with Caribbean…

Restaurant Roundup: Take a Bite of the Latest Seattle Food News

Restaurant Roundup: Take a Bite of the Latest Seattle Food News

Here’s what was served up recently in the Emerald City

Seattle is a special place to eat — you know it, we know it — so it’s not exactly a surprise when local culinary talent makes the headlines. Nevertheless, it’s always worth throwing a little more shine to the spotlight — take a peek to find out which star gained some national acclaim this week,…

Counter Culture: Time Out Greek & American Restaurant

Counter Culture: Time Out Greek & American Restaurant

Cozy Mountlake Terrace gem delivers every time

Time Out Greek & American Restaurant, a hidden gem in Mountlake Terrace, has been serving up delicious comfort food since 2004. Founded by Emmanuel and Georgia Flemetakis, this family-owned restaurant is now run by the next generation of the Flemetakis family. The menu is packed with classic Greek comfort food, offering everything from gyros and…