19 SoCal Restaurants, Chefs Named 2024 James Beard Semifinalists

LOS ANGELES, CA — Nineteen Southern California restaurants and chefs were named 2024 James Beard semifinalists, the organization said Wednesday.

The James Beard Foundation awards, sometimes known as the “Oscars of food,” are among the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors. The awards recognize eateries and chefs who create exceptional food, food media content, and better food systems, the organization said. They also demonstrate a commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.

Categories include outstanding restaurateur, outstanding chef, outstanding restaurant, emerging chef, best new restaurant, outstanding bakery, outstanding pastry chef or baker, outstanding hospitality, outstanding wine and other beverages program, outstanding bar and best chef.

In Southern California, the following restaurants and chefs were named semifinalists this year:

Outstanding Restauranteur

• Greg Dulan, Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen, Hotville Chicken, and DulanVILLE in Inglewood

Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton

• Jeremy Fox, Birdie G's in Santa Monica
• Rashida Holmes, Bridgetown Roti in Los Angeles

Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Mineral Water

• Danielle Duran-Zecca and Alessandro Zecca, Amiga Amore in Los Angeles

Best New Restaurant

• Barra Santos in Los Angeles

Outstanding Bakery

• Gusto Bread in Long Beach

• Nicole Rucker, Fat + Flour in Los Angeles

• Luv2eat Thai Bistro in Los Angeles

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

• Strong Water Anaheim in Anaheim

Outstanding Bar

• Esters Wine Shope & Bar in Santa Monica

Best Chefs presented by Capital One

• Diego Argoti, Poltergeist in Los Angeles
• Alex Garcia and Elvia Huerta, Evil Cooks in Los Angeles
• Dima Habibah, Ammatoli in Long Beach
• Jihee Kim, Perilla in Los Angeles
• Alfonso "Poncho" Martinez, Poncho's Tlayudas in Los Angeles
• Lord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord in Los Angeles
• Tara Monsod, Animae in San Diego
• Michael Procaccini and Stefano Procaccini, La Parolaccia in Long Beach
• Alisa Reynolds, My 2 Cents in Los Angeles
• Christian Yang, Yang's Kitchen in Alhambra

"We are thrilled for the return of the James Beard Awards—recognizing the outstandingly talented leaders making their mark on American food,” Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, said in a news release.

See also: These Are The Best Restaurants In America, According To Tourists

The restaurant and chef awards celebrate excellence from a wide variety of eateries and experiences, from fine-dining establishments to casual gems, and emerging talents to established luminaries.

The awards were established in 1990 and first awarded in 1991.

This year marks the third since the organization made sweeping changes following a 2021 audit to address longstanding bias.

Outstanding restaurateur recognizes people who use their establishment as a vehicle for building community, demonstrate creativity in entrepreneurship, integrity in their restaurant operations and strive to create a sustainable work culture, while making positive contributions to the community.

The outstanding chef category recognizes chefs who set “high culinary standards” and serve as a positive example for other food professionals while making an impact on the broader community.

The outstanding restaurant category honors eateries that have a proven track record of excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, and make a difference in the community.