New campaign encourages nominations of Columbus chefs for James Beard Awards
Columbus chefs have landed on "best of" lists, been lauded in national publications, and they’ve even beaten Bobby Flay.
But no local chef – and no local restaurant, for that matter – has ever won what’s considered to be one of the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors. Experience Columbus hopes to change that by joining other convention and visitors bureaus around the nation that give a boost to their hometown talent.
A new website just made active by the agency will serve as a conduit for people to nominate Columbus chefs, restaurants and restaurant owners for 2024 James Beard Awards. Experiencecolumbus.com/jamesbeard includes an explanation of the nomination process and a link to James Beard Foundation’s online form.
The campaign will “help our food scene get the national recognition it deserves,” according to the site.
It also includes some suggestions for potential local nominees, including:
Avishar Barua (Agni and Joya’s), Josh Dalton (Speck and Veritas), Abdilahi Hassan and Mohamed Hassan (Hoyo’s Kitchen), Matt Harper (Comune), Phuntso Lama (Momo Ghar), and BJ Lieberman (Chapman’s Eat Market and Ginger Rabbit) for Best Chef: Great Lakes
Aaron Clouse, of Parable, for Best Pastry Chef
Cameron Mitchell for Best Restaurateur
Parable for Outstanding Food and Beverage Program
More: 6 Columbus area restaurants make Yelp's list of top restaurants in the Midwest
“We have such an amazing wealth of talent when it comes to food and beverages and innovation,” said Sarah Townes, vice president of marketing for Experience Columbus. “We wanted to make sure we are leaving no stones unturned.”
Columbus chefs have come close to winning James Beard Awards. Earlier this year, Lieberman was named a semifinalist for the Great Lakes regional title. In 2020, local chef Spencer Budros, of Pistacia Vera, was a semifinalist for Outstanding Baker, and James Anderson, of Ray Ray’s Hog Pit, was a semifinalist for Best Chef: Great Lakes. In 2012, Richard Blondin, of The Refectory, and Kent Rigsby, of Rigsby’s Kitchen, were Great Lakes semifinalists as well.
More: Cameron Mitchell reflects on 30 years, celebrates 100th restaurant
Two people from Columbus have won James Beard Awards in other categories: Alexis Nelson in 2022 for her Black Forager media on Tik Tok and Instagram, and Jeni Britton in 2012 for her cookbook, "Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home."
Anyone can submit nominations for 2024 James Beard Awards. They are due by Nov. 30.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Experience Columbus launches campaign to promote Columbus chefs
