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A history of James Beard winners and semifinalists in Austin

There are 62 Austin James Beard Award winners and semifinalists from years’ past — let’s get to know them a little bit ahead of the 2024 awards.

Three dishes on the table at KGBBQ

City Editors London and Figi tried the vegetarian rice bowl, Egyptian mac and cheese, and brisket rice bowl at KG BBQ.

Photo by ATXtoday

As the newest cycle of James Beard Award nominees drops, we’re reminded how lucky we are to live in a foodie city.

We’ve covered nominees and winners in 2022, 2023, and now, 2024. Let’s take a look at James Beard Award cycles past and how many Austin restaurants and bars have made the cut.

Editor’s note: * indicates the restaurant has since closed.

Winners

Semifinalists

  • Tyson Cole of Uchi
    • Award: Best Chefs | 2008, 2009, 2010
    • Award: Outstanding Chef | 2013, 2016
  • Jeffrey’s | Award: Outstanding Service | 2008
  • Philip Speer of Uchi
    • Award: Best Chefs | 2010
    • Award: Outstanding Pastry Chef | 2011, 2012, 2014
  • La Condesa
    • Award: Best New Restaurant | 2010
    • Award: Outstanding Restaurant | 2023
  • Paul Qui of Uchiko | Award: Rising Star Chef of the Year | 2011
  • Uchiko | Award: Best New Restaurant | 2011
  • Tito Beveridge of Tito’s Handmade Vodka | Award: Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional | 2011
  • Bryce Allen Gilmore of Barley Swine
    • Award: Rising Star Chef of the Year | 2012, 2013
  • Rene Ortiz of La Condesa | Award: Best Chefs | 2013
  • Janina O’Leary of TRACE* | Award: Rising Star Chef of the Year | 2013
  • Laura Sawicki of La Condesa | Award: Outstanding Pastry Chef | 2013
  • David Bull of Congress
    • Award: Best Chefs | 2014, 2015
  • Mark Buley of Odd Duck | Award: Rising Star Chef of the Year | 2015
  • Olamaie | Award: Best New Restaurant | 2015
  • Grae Nonas of Olamaie | Award: Rising Star Chef of the Year | 2015
  • Sam Hellman-Mass of Odd Duck | Award: Rising Star Chef of the Year | 2015
  • Laura Sawicki of Launderette
    • Award: Outstanding Pastry Chef | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
  • Jeffrey Stuffings of Jester King Brewery
    • Award: Outstsanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional | 2018, 2019, 2020
  • Kevin Fink of Emmer & Rye | Award: Best Chefs | 2018
  • Kemuri Tatsu-ya | Award: Best New Restaurant | 2018
  • Suerte
    • Award: Best New Restaurant | 2019
    • Award: Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages Program | 2023
    • Award: Best Chef Texas (Fermín Núñez) | 2024
  • Iliana de la Vega of El Naranjo
    • Award: Best Chefs | 2019, 2020
  • Maribel Rivero of Yuyo* | Award: Best Chefs | 2019
  • Michael Steffing of Jester King Brewery | Award: Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Producer | 2019
  • David Norman of Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Garden | Award: Outstanding Baker | 2020
  • Larry McGuire of McGuire Moorman Hospitality | Award: Outstanding Restaurateur | 2020
  • Damien Brockway of Distant Relatives
    • Award: Best Chef | 2022, 2023
  • Amanda Turner of Olamaie | Award: Emerging Chef of the Year | 2022
  • Mariela Camacho of Comadre Panadería
    • Award: Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker | 2023, 2024
  • Tavel Bristol-Joseph of Canje
    • Award: Best Chef Texas | 2023, 2024
  • Kareem Elghayesh of KG BBQ | Award: Best Chef Texas | 2023
  • Geoff Ellis of Mum Foods Smokehouse & Delicatessen | Award: Best Chef Texas | 2024
  • Joseph Gomez of Con Todo | Award: Best Chef Texas | 2024
  • Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel of Birdie’s | Award: Best Chef Texas | 2024
  • Ramen del Barrio | Award: Best New Restaurant | 2024
  • Bufalina | Award: Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program | 2024

Which of these restaurants have you visited?

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