Here Are Atlanta’s 2019 James Beard Awards Semifinalists

The list of the semifinalists for the 2019 James Beard Foundation awards was just released, and several Atlanta chefs and restaurants made the cut. The annual awards are the equivalent to the “Oscars” in the food world. The finalists are announced on Wednesday, March 27. Winners are announced on Monday, May 6 in Chicago.

Outstanding Baker

Chris Wilkins of Root Baking Co. at Ponce City Market

Outstanding Bar Program

Ticonderoga Club at Krog Street Market

Kimball House in Decatur

Also of note, The Atomic Bar in Birmingham, AL

Best Chef Southeast

Brian So of Spring in Marietta

Bryan Furman of B’s Cracklin’ Barbecue in Atlanta

Ryan Smith of Staplehouse in Atlanta

Meherwan Irani of Chai Pani in Decatur and Asheville, NC

Mashama Bailey of The Grey in Savannah

Rising Star Chef

Nolan Wynn of Banshee in East Atlanta Village

Outstanding Restaurateur

Chef Hugh Acheson of Empire State South in Atlanta and Five & Ten and The National in Athens

Steve Palmer of The Indigo Road restaurant group — Donetto, O-Ku, Colletta, Oak Steakhouse, and Tiny Lou’s in Atlanta and The Macintosh, Oak Steakhouse, and Indaco in Charleston, SC

Outstanding Service

Kimball House in Decatur

Outstanding Wine Program

Miller Union in Atlanta

Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Foundation Awards. Winners in the book/television/journalism categories will be announced at a dinner in New York on April 26.

• B’s Cracklin’ is Keeping Barbecue Old School in Atlanta [EATL]
• Take a Peek Inside Banshee in East Atlanta Village [EATL]
• Tiny Lou’s Is Making Its Own History at an Atlanta Landmark [EATL]