Refinery Chef Shut Out of Finals for James Beard Award

The Refinery chef-owner Greg Baker will go Beard-less. Again.

Baker, a semi-finalist in the 2013 James Beard Awards for America's top chef, did not advance in the competition, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The final candidates were announced Monday afternoon.

Baker was a semifinalist for "Best Chef: South" for the second year in a row.

Previously, the Refinery – the Seminole Heights restaurant he owns with Michelle Baker at 5137 N Florida Ave.– was nominated for Best New Restaurant in 2011, but did not advance to the finals, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

The Refinery is known for its fresh ingredients artfully prepared, such as Cream of Bok Choy Soup or Grilled Quail. The Seminole Heights rotates its menu weekly (see latest menu attached as a pdf to this story), based on what's available to buy in the area. "All items are made in house, from the sausage to the salad dressings ... as it should be," states the restaurant's website.

But the James Beard judges passed on The Refinery. None of the finalists were Tampa Bay restaurants or chefs either, though a California finalist, Vinny Dotolo, was named for Animal, the Los Angeles restaurant that he co-owns with partner Jon Shook.

According to the Tampa Bay Times:

A national panel of more than 550 judges — restaurant critics, food and wine editors, culinary educators and previous award winners — determine the five finalists in each category and choose the winners, who will be announced in May.

For more information

Visit the Patch business listing on the Refinery.