Advertisement

James Beard Foundation announces finalists for best chef in Texas

There will be no Austin repeat at the James Beard Foundation awards this spring in Chicago. None of the three Austin-based semifinalists for the Best Chef: Texas category advanced from the group of 20 to the group of five finalists, according to an announcement from the foundation on Wednesday.

Damien Brockway (Distant Relatives), Kareem El-Ghayesh of KG BBQ and Canje chef-partner Tavel Bristol-Joseph in January had all been named semifinalists for the award that was won last year by El Naranjo's Iliana de la Vega. The five finalists from the Texas region include chefs from Houston, El Paso, San Antonio, Seguin and Dallas.

KGBBQ in East Austin serves Egyptian-influenced barbecue from chef Kareem El-Ghayesh.
KGBBQ in East Austin serves Egyptian-influenced barbecue from chef Kareem El-Ghayesh.

The other three Austin semifinalists for James Beard Awards — La Condesa (for nation's best restaurant), Suerte (for best wine and spirits program) and Mariela Camacho of Comadre Panadería (for outstanding pastry chef or baker) — also missed the final round in their respective categories.