12 Eastern PA Restaurants, Chefs Are James Beard Semifinalists

A dozen restaurants and chefs in Eastern Pennsylvania are semifinalists for the 2019 James Beard Awards. The regional semifinalists for the awards — sometimes referred to as the Oscars of the culinary world — were announced Wednesday.

The prestigious 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.

In Eastern Pennsylvania, the following restaurants and chefs are semifinalists:

Best New Restaurant

• Andiario, West Chester

Outstanding Baker

• Tova du Plessis, Essen Bakery, Philadelphia

Outstanding Bar Program

• Monk’s Café, Philadelphia

Outstanding Chef

• Marc Vetri, Vetri Cucina, Philadelphia

Outstanding Pastry Chef

• James Matty, Suraya, Philadelphia

Outstanding Restaurant

• Bolete, Bethlehem
• Zahav, Philadelphia

Outstanding Restaurateur

• Ellen Yin, High Street Hospitality Group, Philadelphia (Fork, High Street on Market, High Street on Hudson)

Rising Star Chef of the Year

• Jesse Ito, Royal Izakaya, Philadelphia

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic

• Nicholas Elmi, Laurel, Philadelphia
• Rich Landau, Vedge, Philadelphia
• Cristina Martinez, South Philly Barbacoa, Philadelphia

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