“Top Chef” has done it again.
As we’ve reported, “Top Chef” is a competitive reality show that stands out in its category. Few shows produce such high-caliber, award-winning or nominated professionals. For those unfamiliar, the James Beard Awards are considered the Oscars of the culinary world, much like the Emmys are for television actors. A nomination, alongside a Michelin star, is often the pinnacle of a chef’s career.
This year alone, 13 “Top Chef” alumni have been nominated as semifinalists for James Beard Awards. Contestants, from the most recent winner Danny (crowned last May) to season 5’s Hosea Rosenberg, have earned recognition in what is regarded as the pinnacle of culinary accolades.
Of course, there’s a bit of a “chicken and egg” situation here: Some “Top Chef” contestants come to the show with established reputations, while others grow into formidable contenders during or after the competition. The connection between the restaurant industry and a show like “Top Chef” is symbiotic. In some cases, contestants who excel on the show land a nomination, while others who leave early —like Feybesse and Howell — still earn recognition.
What’s clear is that the talent showcased on “Top Chef” is truly top-tier. The show can serve as a launching pad for chefs early in their careers, or it can act as further validation for those who have already earned awards and nominations before joining the competition.
Interestingly, the most recent season produced the highest number of nominations, with four. One category features two “Top Chef” alumni competing for Best Chef: Southeast—Bradley and Shanti.
Nominees will be announced on April 2, with winners revealed at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on June 16 in Chicago.
Ron Mare, Senior Vice President of Casting at Magical Elves, which casts the show, told Salon “We’re constantly striving to find the best of the best in the culinary world, and these accolades are a reflection of that commitment. We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the chefs who’ve been honored — they’ve worked tirelessly to get to where they are, and it’s inspiring to see their talent and hard work celebrated on such a prestigious stage.”
Here is the full list of nominees, along with their original season, restaurant(s) and category:
- Chef Hosea Rosenberg, winner of season 5, Blackbelly in Boulder, CO - Best Chef: Mountain
- Chef Sheldon Simeon, seasons 10 and 14, Tiffany's in Wailuku, HI - Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific
- Chef Nina Compton's restaurant Compère Lapin in New Orleans, LA, season 11 - Outstanding Hospitality (note: Compton herself wasn't technically nominated, but she was included here because she is the owner and chef of Compère Lapin)
- Chef Kwame Onwuachi, season 13, Tatiana in NYC - Best Chef: New York State
- Chef Sara Bradley, seasons 16 and 20, Freight House in Paducah, KY - Best Chef: Southeast
- Chef David Viana, season 16, Lita in Aberdeen, NJ - Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic
- Chef Avishar Barua, season 18, Agni in Columbus, OH - Best Chef: Great Lakes
- Chef Monique Feybesse, season 19, Tarts de Feybesse in Oakland, CA - Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
- Chef Ashleigh Shanti, season 19, Good Hot Fish in Asheville, NC - Best Chef: Southeast
- Chef Evelyn Garcia, season 19, Jūn in Houston, TX - Best Chef: Texas
- Chef Danny Garcia, winner of season 21, Time & Tide in NYC - Emerging Chef
- Chef Dan Jacobs, season 21, EsterEv in Milwaukee, Wi - Best Chef: Midwest (note: Jacobs was nominated with co-owner Dan Van Rite)
- Chef Laura Ozyilmaz, season 21, Dalida in San Francisco, CA - Best Chef: California (note: Ozyilmaz was nominated alongside her husband and restaurant co-owner, Sayat Ozyilmaz)
- Chef Valentie Howell, season 21, Black Cat in Jamaica Plain, MA - Best Chef: Northeast
