Here Are The 11 South Carolina Chefs That Are James Beard Semi Finalists For 2024
One of the greatest honors that can be bestowed on a chef is the James Beard Award. According to the organization’s website, “The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization…
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 14: A view of the Savannah “Crystal” Crab Soup by James Beard Award Winning Chef and restauranteur David Chang during an immersive culinary experience, hosted by American Express Travel and David Chang at Lightbox on November 14, 2018 in New York City.
(Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for American Express)One of the greatest honors that can be bestowed on a chef is the James Beard Award. According to the organization's website, "The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability." The awards were first established in 1990 and have been presented yearly ever since.
When it comes to the chef and restaurant awards nominees are chosen from both open-call recommendations/submissions and recommendations from the Award's program's voting body. And just this week the semi finalists for 2024 were announced. Eleven different South Carolina chefs and/or restaurants were included as James Beard Award semi-finalists. The vast majority of these were in the culinary mecca of Charleston. But the greater Greenville and Columbia areas were included as well.
The semi finalists are spread across seven different categories. These include "Outstanding Restauranteur", "Emerging Chef", "Best New Restaurant", "Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker", "Outstanding Wine or Other Beverage Program", "Outstanding Bar", and "Best Chef Southeast Region". The 2024 final nominees will be announced on Wednesday, April 3rd. Winners will be celebrated
at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Good luck to all the South Carolina chefs and restaurants in the running and congratulations for making it this far! Looks like I have to plan a few road trips soon to give these spots a try!
Read the full 2024 James Bead semi-finalists list here or keep reading to learn more about each of the 11 South Carolina chefs and restaurants included as James Beard semi finalists.
Outstanding Restauranteur - Kimbrall Brienza and Stephen Palmer
Restaurant: O-Ku Sushi
Location: Charleston, SC
O-Ku actually has additional locations outside of Charleston including one in Southend Charlotte. According to the website O-ku "celebrates authentic Asian cuisine with a regional approach". The menu features sushi, appetizers, as well as some hot plates.
Emerging Chef- Nikko Cagalanan
Restaurant: Kultura
Location: Charleston, SC
Situated in downtown Charleston, SC Kultura offers an "inventive take on Filipino cuisine". Previously Food and Wine Magazine named Kultura the best Filipino Restaurant in the state of SC. Check out the menu here.
Best New Restaurant- Scoundrel
Location: Greenville, SC
French restaurant Scoundrel is located on Greenville's Main Street downtown. The restaurant self describes as "sophisticated French dining". View the menu here.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker- Tiana Cienfuegos Harris
Restaurant: Topsoil Kitchen & Market
Location: Travelers Rest, SC
Topsoil Kitchen & Market is a farm to table restaurant just outside of Greenville, SC. But it's the pastries like the cinnamon rolls pictured above that have garnered attention. Learn more on their website.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker- Remy Funfrock
Restaurant: La Patisserie
Location: Charleston, SC
Nested in the Hotel Bennett in historic downtown Charleston you'll find La Patisserie. This isn't your typical hotel bakery/coffee shop though. This French cafe is "is as authentic as it is chic, serving the finest coffee, homemade breads, pastries, and more." View the menu here.
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program- Lula Drake Wine Parlour
Location: Columbia, SC
Great wine and great food is my dream (and what I'm dying for right now). And that's what head sommelier and proprietor Tim Gardner has accomplished at Lulu Drake. It's not just a place for wine enthusiasts though, it's for everyone. View the menu here.
Outstanding Bar- Edmund's Oast
Location: Charleston, SC
A brewery that also offers craft cocktails and good wine? That's what you'll find at Edmund's Oast. There are two locations one original fine casual restaurant, brewpub, and cocktail bar and the other is the production brewery, taproom, and casual restaurant. Find out more here.
Best Chef: Southeast- Kitwanda "Kiki" Cyrus and Tyrone Cyrus
Restaurant: Kiki's Chicken and Waffles
Location: Columbia, SC
Kitwanda “Kiki” and Tyrone Cyrus, opened Kiki's Chicken and Waffles in 2012 and has been serving delicious, homemade soul food dishes including the namesake chicken and waffles ever since. There are two Columbia locations- find out more here.
Best Chef: Southeast- Jacques Larson
Restaurant: The Obstinate Daughter
Location: Sullivan's Island, SC
Located on Sullivan's Island The Obstinate Daughter is a Southern restaurant influenced by French, Italian, and Spanish cuisine. The restaurant boasts a wood-fired oven, plancha, and island kitchen range. The menu highlights pizza, pasta, small plates, and a raw bar.
Best Chef: Southeast- James London
Restaurant: Chubby Fish
Location: Charleston, SC
Fresh, Lowcountry seafood prepared innovatively is what sets Chubby Fish apart. They partner with local fishermen and farmers to ensure the freshest seasonal ingredients. The menu changes daily but you can learn more about Chubby Fish here.
Best Chef: Southeast- Robbie Robinson
Restaurant: City Limits Barbeque
Location: Cayce, SC
City Limits Barbeque is a family-owned restaurant based in West Columbia, South Carolina. They prepare authentic barbeque in both the Texas BBQ (offset style) and our Carolina BBQ (directly over coals) styles. See the menu and learn more here.
