39 CA Restaurants, Chefs Named 2024 James Beard Semifinalists

ACROSS CALIFORNIA — Thirty-nine 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. It 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.

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

Outstanding Restaurateur

• Greg Dulan, Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen, Hotville Chicken and DulanVILLE, Inglewood, CA

Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton

• Jeremy Fox, Birdie G’s, Santa Monica, CA
• Rashida Holmes, Bridgetown Roti, Los Angeles, CA
• Sylvan Mishima Brackett, Rintaro, San Francisco, CA

Outstanding Restaurant presented by Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water

• Koi Palace, Daly City, CA

Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Mineral Water

• Danielle Duran-Zecca and Alessandro Zecca, Amiga Amore, Los Angeles, CA
• Emily Lim, Dabao Singapore, San Francisco, CA

Best New Restaurant

• Barra Santos, Los Angeles, CA
• Chez Noir, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
• Kiln, San Francisco, CA

Outstanding Bakery

• Gusto Bread, Long Beach, CA

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

• Kristina Costa, Loquat, San Francisco, CA
• Nicole Rucker, Fat + Flour, Los Angeles, CA

Outstanding Hospitality presented by American Airlines

• Lazy Bear, San Francisco, CA
• Luv2eat Thai Bistro, Los Angeles, CA

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

• The Morris, San Francisco, CA
• Strong Water Anaheim, Anaheim, CA

Outstanding Bar

• Esters Wine Shop & Bar, Santa Monica, CA
• Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco, CA

Best Chef California presented by Capital One

• Diego Argoti, Poltergeist, Los Angeles, CA
• C-Y Chia and Shane Stanbridge, Lion Dance Cafe, Oakland, CA
• Geoff Davis, Burdell, Oakland, CA
• Azalina Eusope, Azalina’s, San Francisco, CA
• Alex Garcia and Elvia Huerta, Evil Cooks, Los Angeles, CA
• Rogelio Garcia, Auro, Calistoga, CA
• Srijith “Sri” Gopinathan, Copra, San Francisco, CA
• Dima Habibeh, Ammatoli, Long Beach, CA
• Jeong-In Hwang, San Ho Won, San Francisco, CA
• Jihee Kim, Perilla, Los Angeles, CA
• Kristina Liedags Compton, Hilda and Jesse, San Francisco, CA
• Alfonso “Poncho” Martinez, Poncho’s Tlayudas, Los Angeles, CA
• Lord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord, Los Angeles, CA
• Tara Monsod, Animae, San Diego, CA
• Buu “Billy” Ngo, Kru, Sacramento, CA
• Laura Ozyilmaz and Sayat Ozyilmaz, Dalida, San Francisco, CA
• Michael Procaccini and Stefano Procaccini, La Parolaccia, Long Beach, CA
• Alisa Reynolds, My 2 Cents, Los Angeles, CA
• Finn Stern, Daytrip, Oakland, CA
• Christian Yang, Yang’s Kitchen, Alhambra, CA

"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, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship, integrity in their restaurant operations and strives 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.