Lakewood Chef Jill Vedaa Up For Prestigious James Beard Award

Lakewood — Chef Jill Vedaa of Salt+ was named Wednesday as a regional semifinalist for the 2019 James Beard Awards, sometimes referred to as the Oscars of the culinary world.

"I focus on creating food and being proud of my work, I don't think much about awards," Vedaa told Patch. "So when something like this happens it takes your breath away."

Vedaa, whose Detroit Avenue restaurant was also a semifinalist in 2018 is one of 20 semifinalists for the honor or best chef in the Great Lakes region for 2019. Cleveland's Larder Delicatessen and Bakery was named as a semifinalist in the Best New Restaurant category.

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"The Cleveland [culinary] scene is constantly growing. I think the community has a more refined palette now and isn't going to those big box restaurants as much," Vedaa said.

The prestigious Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists represent a wide range of culinary talent, from exceptional chefs and dining destinations nationally and across 10 different regions. The 21 award categories include best new restaurants, outstanding bars, outstanding bakers and rising star chefs 30 years of age or younger.

"To be in that group, in this region, it's truly incredible. It's amazing," Vedaa said.

The final winners will be announced during a press conference in Houston on March 27. It will be hosted by James Beard Award–winning chef Hugo Ortega at his namesake Mexican restaurant, Hugo’s.

The James Beard Foundation solicits entries for the awards in mid-October of each year. They are reviewed by the Restaurant and Chef Committee to determine eligibility and regional representation, and are then voted on by more than 600 judges from across the country to determine the final nominees.

The same group of judges, which is comprised of leading regional restaurant critics, food and wine editors, culinary educators, and past James Beard Award winners, then votes on the nominees to select the winners.

Tabulations to determine the nominees and winners are done by independent auditors Lutz & Carr. The governing Awards committee, board of trustees, and staff of the James Beard Foundation do not vote, and the results are kept confidential until the presentation of winners in May.

Click here for the complete list of semifinalists.