8 Brooklyn Restaurants, Chefs Named 2024 James Beard Semifinalists

BROOKLYN, NY — In a city overflowing with good food, eight celebrated Brooklyn chefs and restaurants have risen to the top of the food chain.

The James Beard Foundation on Wednesday announced its semifinalists for 2024 awards — and, as usual, New York City landed a huge number of restaurants and chefs in the running.

Some standout cooks and hot spots could win big in categories recognizing outstanding chefs, standout new restaurants, great baked goods, best newcomer chefs and outstanding restaurateur.

Repeat award-winners landed on the James Beard Foundation's shortlist, including Ayo Balogun of Dept of Culture, who was also nominated last year.

The James Beard Foundation awards, sometimes known as the “Oscars of food,” are among the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors — and New York City consistently lands chefs and restaurants in the ranks.

Just last year, Atomix chef Junghyun Park took the James Beard award for best chef. Seven New York City restaurants and chefs were finalists for James Beard nods in 2023, including Amanda Cohen of Dirty Candy and Nasim Alikhani of Brooklyn's Sofreh.

Check out the full list of nominated Brooklyn eateries:

Outstanding Restaurateur

• Bryan Chuntan and Pei Wei, Zaab Zaab & Zaab Zaab Talay, Queens & Brooklyn.

Outstanding Bar

• All Night Skate, Brooklyn, NY

Best Chef, New York State

• Nasim Alikhani, Sofreh, Brooklyn, NY
• Ayo Balogun, Dept of Culture, Brooklyn, NY
• Calvin Eng, Bonnie's, Brooklyn, NY
• Luis Herrera, Ensenada, Brooklyn, NY
• Charlie Mitchell, Cloverhill, Brooklyn, NY
• Jeremy Salamon, Agi's Counter, Brooklyn, NY

In Manhattan, Upper West Side Afro-Caribbean eatery Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi, which was also named among the country's top 50 restaurants in 2023.

Superiority Burger is also in the running for James Beard's outstanding restaurant category — just another nod in the cap for the East Village eatery that also landed on Michelin Guide's 2023 ranking of best value eats.

The James Beard Foundation recognizes 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.

"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 — and this year marks the third since the organization made sweeping changes following a 2021 audit to address longstanding bias.