The prestigious James Beard Awards has released its list of 2023 semifinalists, and many familiar San Francisco names made the cut.
Yuka Ioroi and Kris Toliao of Cassava were recognized in the Outstanding Restaurateur category, and David Nayfeld of Che Fico was recognized in the Outstanding Chef category. Moroccan fine dining restaurant Mourad also received a nod for Outstanding Restaurant, and modern Russian spot Birch & Rye was included on the Best New Restaurant list.
Yasukochi’s Sweet Stop, the Japantown bakery famous for its coffee crunch cake, was listed in the new Outstanding Bakery category. House of Prime Rib was recognized for the second year in a row for Outstanding Hospitality, and trendy cocktail bar Trick Dog made the cut for Outstanding Bar.
The East Bay also saw itself represented on the 2023 list: Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino of Cafe Ohlone in Berkeley were nominated for Emerging Chef, and Vince Bugtong of popular Asian-inspired bar and restaurant Viridian in Oakland was nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.
The Bay Area was also all over the Best Chef: California list. Californios chef Val M. Cantu was nominated for the second year in a row, as were Pim Techamuanvivit of Kin Khao (although last year her nomination was for Nari), Srijith Gopinathan of Ettan in Palo Alto and James Syhabout of Commis in Oakland. Also nominated for this category were Kyle and Katina Connaughton of SingleThread in Healdsburg, Intu-on Kornnawong of Jo’s Modern Thai in Oakland, and more.
The James Beard Awards plan to announce finalists March 29, with winners announced at a ceremony in Chicago on June 5. See the full list of Bay Area semifinalists below:
James Beard Awards 2023 Semifinalists from the Bay Area
Outstanding Restaurateur
Yuka Ioroi and Kris Toliao, Cassava, San Francisco
Outstanding Chef
David Nayfeld, Che Fico, San Francisco
Outstanding Restaurant (Presented by Acqua Panna Natural Spring Water)
Mourad, San Francisco
Emerging Chef (Presented by S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water)
Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino, Cafe Ohlone, Berkeley
Best New Restaurant
Birch & Rye, San Francisco
Outstanding Bakery
Yasukochi’s Sweet Stop, San Francisco
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Vince Bugtong, Viridian, Oakland
Outstanding Hospitality (Presented by American Airlines)
House of Prime Rib, San Francisco
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Lazy Bear, San Francisco
Outstanding Bar
Trick Dog, San Francisco
Best Chef: California
Val M. Cantu, Californios, San Francisco
Kyle and Katina Connaughton, SingleThread, Healdsburg
Srijith Gopinathan, Ettan, Palo Alto
Intu-on Kornnawong, Jo’s Modern Thai, Oakland
James Syhabout, Commis, Oakland
Pim Techamuanvivit, Kin Khao, San Francisco
Robbie Wilson, Le Fantastique, San Francisco
Akira Yoshizumi, Sushi Yoshizumi, San Mateo
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