James Beard 2014 Semifinalists Announced: Florida Gets Several Nods

The James Beard Foundation has announced the 2014 semifinalists for its Restaurant and Chef award categories today, the state of Florida got several nods and specific recognition for its culinary achievements. Even Orlando got a pat on the head from the prestigious foundation for hosting the announcement at the city's...

By Laine Doss

February 21, 2014

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The James Beard Foundation has announced the 2014 semifinalists for its Restaurant and Chef award categories today, the state of Florida got several nods and specific recognition for its culinary achievements.

Even Orlando got a pat on the head from the prestigious foundation for hosting the announcement at the city's East End Market, with the Beard Foundation calling Orlando, "one of Florida's burgeoning culinary hubs." Ouch.

Beard award semifinalists were chosen after an online "open call," where anyone could submit their suggestion. Nearly 40,000 submissions were received and were weeded down by the foundation's Restaurant and Chef Awards committee, composed of critics, writers, and editors to the list of semifinalists. From there, a group of former Beard award winners, committee members, and other regional panelists cast their votes from the semifinalists, to choose the finalists. That short list will be announced in Chicago on March 18. The actual awards ceremony takes place in New York City on May 2 and 5.

Although several Florida establishments and chefs were named as semifinalists, only one had a Broward or Palm Beach connection. Stephen Starr of Philadelphia-based Starr Restaurants was named in the Outstanding Restauranteur category. Starr Restaurants owns Steak 954 in Fort Lauderdale.

Last year, Palm Beach's Clay Conley of Buccan was chosen as a semifinalist.

We'll just have to wait until next year. Here's the list of Florida-based semifinalists, in case you want to take a road trip to experience their fare:

The Broken Shaker, Miami Beach (Outstanding Bar Program)

Michael Schwartz, Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, Miami (Outstanding Chef)

Jose Mendin, Pubbelly, Miami Beach (Best Chef: South)

Horacio Rivadero, The District Miami, Miami (Best Chef: South)

Greg Baker, The Refinery, Tampa (Best Chef: South)

Chad Johnson, SideBern's, Tampa (Best Chef: South)

James and Julie Petrakis, The Ravenous Pig, Winter Park (Best Chef: South)

Steve Phelps, Indigenous, Sarasota (Best Chef: South)

Hari Pulapaka, Cress, DeLand (Best Chef: South)

Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurants, Philadelphia -- Steak 954, Makoto, Verde Restaurant and Bar (Outstanding Restaurateur)

Bern's Steak House, Tampa (Outstanding Restaurant)

Joey Redner, Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, (Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional)

For a complete list of semifinalists, visit jamesbeard.org.

Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.

Follow @CleanPlateBPB

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Laine Doss is the food and spirits editor for Miami New Times, covering the restaurant and bar scene in South Florida. She has been featured on Cooking Channel’s Eat Street and Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race. Doss won an Alternative Weekly award for her feature on what it’s like to wait tables. In a previous life, she appeared off-Broadway and shook many a cocktail as a bartender at venues in South Florida and New York City. When she’s not writing, you can find Doss running some marathon then celebrating at the nearest watering hole.

Contact: Laine Doss

Follow:

Facebook: laine.doss

Twitter: @lainedoss