14 South FL Restaurants, Chefs Named James Beard Award Semifinalists

SOUTH FLORIDA — Restaurants and chefs in South Florida – particularly the Miami area - are well represented in the semifinalists announced Wednesday for the prestigious 2023 James Beard Awards, sometimes referred to as the Oscars of the culinary arts industry.

Named for the late chef, cookbook author and food presenter James Beard, the awards “recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive,” the James Beard Foundation said Wednesday in a news release.

The semifinalists are recognized across 23 categories, including a new award for outstanding bakery.

Here are 2023 James Beard Award nominees from South Florida:

Outstanding Restaurateur

• Mohamed Ali Alkassar and Niven Patel, Alpareno Restaurant Group (Ghee Indian Kitchen, Orno, and Mamey), Miami

Outstanding Chef

• Michael Schwartz, Michael's Genuine Food & Drink, Miami

Outstanding Restaurant

• Ariete, Miami

Emerging Chef

• Akino West, Rosie's, Miami

Outstanding Bakery

• Zak the Baker, Miami

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

• Manuel and Jesús Brazón, Caracas Bakery, Doral

Outstanding Wine or Other Beverages Program

• Macchialina, Miami Beach

Outstanding Bar

• Cafe La Trova, Miami

Best Chefs South

• Timon Balloo, The Katherine, Fort Lauderdale
• Jeremy and Cindy Bearman, Oceano Kitchen, Lantana
• Fernando, Nando, and Valerie Chang, Itamae, Miami
• Rick Mace, Tropical Smokehouse, West Palm Beach
• Pushkar Marathe, Stage, Palm Beach Gardens
• Lojo Washington, Queen of Sheeba, West Palm Beach

Award nominees will be announced March 29, and the winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on June 5 at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.

“What an honor,” Alpareno Restaurant Group, whose owners Mohamed Ali Alkassar and Niven Patel were named semi-finalists in the Outstanding Retaurateur category, shared in an Instagram post. “None of this would have been possible without the incredible leadership from (Patel) and (Alkassar.) This duo’s respect, admiration and absolute love for each other is contagious and has become the soul of our team, better referred to as a family.”

Itamae shared on its Facebook page, “We are honored and humbled to be included among so many amazing and talented colleagues and friends across the country. This nomination would not have been possible without the extraordinary talent and efforts of our small but mighty team.”