22 CA Restaurants/Chefs Are 2019 Finalists For James Beard Awards

The James Beard Foundation has announced the 2019 finalists for the prestigious awards sometimes referred to as the Oscars of the culinary world. The finalists were announced on Wednesday and 22 restaurants, chefs, vintners and more in California are on the list. In fact, California had a finalist in every category except one, Outstanding Restaurateur.

In California, the finalists for the awards are:

Best New Restaurants —

• Angler, San Francisco
• Bavel, Los Angeles
• Majordomo, Los Angeles

Outstanding Baker —

• Avery Ruzicka, Manresa Bread, Los Gatos

Outstanding Bar Program —

• Bar Agricole, San Francisco

Outstanding Chef (Presented by All-Clad Metalcrafters) —

• David Kinch, Manresa, Los Gatos, CA
• Corey Lee, Benu, San Francisco

Outstanding Pastry Chef (Presented by Lavazza) —

• Juan Contreras, Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
• Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles

Outstanding Restaurant (Presented by S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water) —

• Quince, San Francisco

Outstanding Service —

• Saison, San Francisco

Outstanding Wine Program (Presented by Robert Mondavi Winery) —

• Benu, San Francisco

Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Producer —

• Cathy Corison, Corison Winery, St. Helena, CA
• Steve Matthiasson, Matthiasson Wines, Napa, CA
• Lance Winters, St. George Spirits, Alameda, CA

Rising Star Chef of the Year (Presented by S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water) —

• Alexander Hong, Sorrel, San Francisco
• Jonathan Yao, Kato, Los Angeles

Best Chef: West (CA, HI, NV) —

• Michael Cimarusti, Providence, Los Angeles
• Jeremy Fox, Rustic Canyon, Santa Monica, CA
• Jessica Koslow, Sqirl, Los Angeles
• Travis Lett, Gjelina, Venice, CA
• Joshua Skenes, Saison, San Francisco

Finalists were announced by chef Hugo Ortega in Houston during a ceremony at his namesake Mexican restaurant, Hugo’s. The nominees are for James Beard awards in restaurant and chef, media and restaurant design categories.

The awards will be presented on May 6 at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.

The foundation said that 2019’s theme is “Good Food For Good,” which is synonymous with its mission.

“It is the simple summation of what the organization stands for, from unique and delicious dining experiences at the James Beard House and around the country, to scholarships, mentorships, and a variety of industry programs that educate and empower leaders in the food community,” the foundation said in a press release.

The awards, which “recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields” were established in 1990. According to the foundation, each award category has an individual committee made up of industry professionals. Each committee oversees “the policies, procedures, and selection of judges for their respective awards programs,” the foundation says.

Winners receive a certificate and medallion engraved with the foundation’s insignia.

You can see the full list of nominees here.

— Patch editors Beth Dalbey and Bea Karnes contributed to this story

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