And the Nominees are ….

We are not going to lie, it was incredibly cool to be in the luxe Waldorf Astoria earlier this week when the James Beard Foundation came to town - thanks in part to Hilton's new sponsorship of the award ceremony -  to announce their 2024 awards finalists. You may remember a few weeks back the James Beard Foundation let loose their “long list” aka the semifinalists. Lot’s of locals deservedly appeared on that long list and honestly, the finalist list does not disappoint. Well, there’s a few disappointments but still DC represents and represents well:

Outstanding Restaurateur
Hollis Wells Silverman, Eastern Point Collective (The Duck & The Peach, La Collina, The Wells, and others), Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton
Michael Rafidi, Albi, Washington, D.C.
Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water
Masako Morishita, Perry's, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Tail Up Goat, Washington, D.C.

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA) 
Tony Conte, Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana, Darnestown, MD
Jesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Philadelphia, PA
Matt Kern, One Coastal, Fenwick Island, DE
Harley Peet, Bas Rouge, Easton, MD
Kevin Tien, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.

The final winners in the restaurant and chef Awards categories will be announced in Chicago on June 10. See you all in Chicago!