Five Atlanta Chefs and Restaurants Are James Beard Award Finalists

After revealing the long list of semifinalists for its annual chef and restaurant awards, the James Beard Foundation has cut the roster down to an elite group of nominees (finalists) for 2017. Four names representing Atlanta are in the final running for the foundation’s prestigious chef and restaurant awards: Miller Union’s Steven Satterfield and Staplehouse’s Ryan Smith (Best Chef: Southeast), Meyer Davis Studio for St. Cecilia (Outstanding Restaurant Design: 76 Seats and Over), Miller Union (Outstanding Wine Program),

Satterfield and Smith are competing against John Fleer (Rhubarb, Asheville), Edward Lee (610 Magnolia, Louisville), and Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman (Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, Memphis). St. Cecilia is up against Momotaro (Chicago) and Gwen (Los Angeles). Miller Union faces Benu (San Francisco), Canlis (Seattle), Emeril’s (New Orleans), and Fig (Charleston).

In addition to the chef and restaurant awards, Atlanta has a rooting interest in the foundation’s book awards. Asha Gomez’s My Two Souths is up for the American Cooking award, along with Deep Run Roots by Vivian Howard and Victuals by Ronni Lundy. The winner will be revealed on Tuesday, April 25.

Chef and restaurant award winners will be announced at the 2017 James Beard Awards Gala, to be held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on Monday, May 1. Last year, Atlanta had three nominees in the final running for medals: Satterfield and Gunshow’s Kevin Gillespie for Best Chef: Southeast and Staplehouse for Best New Restaurant. Sadly, all went home empty-handed.

• Atlanta Chefs and Restaurants Named as James Beard Award 2017 Semifinalists [EATL]
• All Awards Coverage [EATL]