Here Are Atlanta’s 2022 James Beard Award Semifinalists

The James Beard Foundation just released its list of the 2022 semifinalists in the restaurant and chef categories, and there are a few Atlantans and Atlanta establishments among the names.

Earlier this month, soul food institution Busy Bee Cafe was one of six restaurants named as an America’s Classic by the foundation. The award, given out every year since 1998, honors independent and family-owned restaurants open for more than a decade that exhibit “timeless appeal.”

Known as the “Oscars” of the food world, 2022 marks the return of the annual awards after ceremonies were canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. Then, last year, the foundation conducted an extensive audit in an attempt to overhaul its policies and procedures to be more inclusive and transparent in how nominees are scouted, vetted, and voted upon each year. The audit followed years of accusations of racism and sexism and scandals surrounding bad actors in the restaurant industry who were subsequently nominated for awards by the foundation.

Below is the complete list of the Atlanta, Georgia, and Alabama semifinalists. Finalists in the 2022 restaurant and chef categories will be announced Wednesday, March 16, with winners announced during an awards ceremony taking place June 13 at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago.

Emerging Chef

Mia Orino and Carlo Gan for Filipino restaurant and pop-up Kamayan ATL

Best Chef Southeast

Chef Jason Liang for Brush Sushi Izakaya in Decatur

Chef Craig Richards for Lyla Lila in Midtown

Chef Joey Ward for Southern Belle and Georgia Boy in Poncey-Highland

Outstanding Pastry Chef

Chef Claudia Martinez for Miller Union

Chef Jen Yee, Hopkins and Company for C. Ellet’s Steakhouse, Holeman and Finch, and the Buttery ATL

Outstanding Wine Program

Lyla Lila in Midtown

Golden Age Wine in Mountain Brook, Alabama

Outstanding Hospitality

Ticonderoga Club at Krog Street Market

Johnny’s Restaurant in Homewood, Alabama

Outstanding Restaurateur

Chef Kevin Gillespie, Red Beard Restaurants for Gunshow and Revival

Chefs Todd Richards and Joshua Lee, the Soulful Company for Lake and Oak Neighborhood Barbecue and Soul: Food and Culture food stall at Krog Street Market

Outstanding Chef

Chef Mashama Bailey for the Grey in Savannah, Georgia

Best Chef South

Chef Adam Evans for Automatic Seafood and Oysters in Birmingham, Alabama

Chef Timothy Hontzas for Johnny’s Restaurant in Homewood, Alabama

Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Foundation Awards.

• Here Are Atlanta’s 2020 James Beard Awards Semifinalists [EATL]
• Here Are the Atlanta Nominees for the 2020 James Beard Awards [EATL]