DC Chef Wins James Beard Award For 2023

WASHINGTON, DC — A chef from Washington, D.C., was honored at Monday’s James Beard Foundation Awards ceremony at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.

The awards, regarded as the Academy Awards of the U.S. restaurant industry, honor excellence across a range of categories, from fine dining to casual gems.

The winner from DC was Rob Rubba of Oyster Oyster for outstanding chef. Located at 1440 Eighth Street NW, the venue also received a Michelin star in 2022.

On its website, Oyster Oyster says Rubba and sommelier/restaurateur Max Kuller had a vision for an environmentally and sustainably focused restaurant.

"Our menus focus on seasonal, local produce. These ingredients are sourced from individuals who believe in organic and regenerative farming practices. Through these relationships, we are able to minimize food waste and control our carbon footprint while providing a one-of-a-kind dining experience here in the Mid-Atlantic. ... The other half of our name reflects the importance of the oyster bivalve by participating in the effort to rebuild the oyster reefs along the Chesapeake Bay. ... Oysters have a larger spotlight at our oyster garage/wine bar next to the restaurant," the restaurant said.

Oyster Oyster says it works only with breweries that use local ingredients, such as Virginia grains, yeast and hops.

There were no Northern Virginia restaurants or chefs nominated this year for the honor.

Two other Washington, D.C., finalists who did not earn awards were:

• Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, Michael Rafidi, Albi
• Best New Restaurant: Causa

James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach said that together, the winners’ “achievements and dedication have left an indelible mark on our industry.”

“As we celebrate, it’s important to acknowledge the significant work that these accomplished restaurants and chefs have done to push American food culture forward — using their immense creativity, passion and talent to create extraordinary experiences on behalf of others,” Reichenbach said, according to a news release announcing the awards.