9 Arizona Chefs, 7 Restaurants Nominated For James Beard Awards

PHOENIX, AZ — Chefs and restaurants in the Phoenix area and Tucson had strong showing as semifinalists in the annual James Beard Awards.

A total of nine Arizona chefs and seven restaurants were named semifinalists in the awards, presented by Capital One.

The James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards began in 1991, according to a news release. Winners are set to be announced March 16 in Scottsdale.

Below are the Arizona restaurants and chefs named as semifinalists, by category.

Outstanding Restaurateur

• Chris Bianco for his restaurants Tratto, Pane Bianco and Pizzeria Bianco, all in Phoenix.

Outstanding Chef

• Christopher Gross, Christopher's, in Phoenix.
• Stephen Jones, The Larder + The Delta, in Phoenix.

Outstanding Restaurant

• ShinBay, in Scottsdale.

Emerging Chef

• Donald Hawk, Valentine, in Phoenix.

Best New Restaurant

• Bacanora, in Phoenix.

Outstanding Pastry Chef

• Mark Chacón, Chacónne Patisserie, in Phoenix.

Outstanding Baker

• Don Guerra, Barrio Bread, in Tucson.

Outstanding Hospitality

• Binkley's, in Phoenix.

Outstanding Wine Program

• Kai, in Phoenix.

Best Chef: Southwest region

• Lori Hashimoto, Hana Japanese Eatery, in Phoenix.
• John Martinez, Tito & Pep, in Tucson.
• Maria Mazon, BOCA Tacos y Tequila, in Tuscon.
• Giovanni Scorzo, Andreoli Italian Grocer, in Scottsdale.