16 WA Restaurants, Chefs Named 2022 James Beard Semifinalists

SEATTLE — More than a dozen restaurants and chefs across Washington are up for one of the nation's most prestigious culinary honors this year, landing on the 2022 semifinalists list for the annual James Beard Awards.

Dozens of eateries, chefs and restauranteurs landed on this year's list, spread across nearly a dozen categories. The best chef category also has a regional component, which for the Northwest includes Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii.

Additional nominees will be revealed in ceremonies in March and April, and the winners will be celebrated at an awards ceremony scheduled for June in Chicago.

Here are Washington's 2022 James Beard Award nominees:

National:

Best New Restaurant:

• Matia Kitchen & Bar (Orcas Island)

Outstanding Chef:

• Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, Joule (Seattle)

Outstanding Restaurant:

• The Walrus and the Carpenter (Seattle)

Emerging Chef:

• Kristi Brown, Communion (Seattle)

Outstanding Baker:

• Pamela Vuong, The Flour Box (Seattle)

Outstanding Hospitality:

• Bar del Corso (Seattle)

Outstanding Wine Program:

• Tomo (Seattle)

Regional:

Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)

• Nick Coffey, Ursa Minor (Lopez Island)
• Erasto Jackson, Lil Red’s Takeout and Catering (Seattle)
• Liz Kenyon, Rupee Bar (Seattle)
• Melissa Miranda, Musang (Seattle)
• David Nichols, Eight Row (Seattle)
• Brandon Pettit, Delancey (Seattle)
• Mutsuko Soma, Kamonegi (Seattle)
• Aaron Verzosa, Archipelago (Seattle)
• Chad White, Zona Blanca (Spokane)

>> View the full list of semifinalists across the nation on the James Beard website.