3 Tampa Bay Eateries Up For National Awards

TAMPA, FL — One Tampa restaurateur and two chefs from the region have made the cut as semifinalists in the James Beard Foundation’s 2017 Restaurant and Chef Awards. Described by many as the “Oscars” for the restaurants, the annual awards program singles out movers and shakers in the industry from across the country.

The foundation released its semifinalists from across the country on Wednesday in such categories as Outstanding Restaurateur and Best Chef. The following semifinalists are from the Tampa Bay area:

• Richard Gonzmart, owner of Tampa’s Columbia Restaurant Group – Outstanding Restaurateur
• Ferrell Alvarez, Rooster & the Till, Tampa – Best Chef in the South region
• Christopher Ponte, Café Ponte, Clearwater – Best Chef in the South region

For nearly 30 years, the foundation, which is dedicated to culinary excellence, has picked the most outstanding establishments from across the country to earn national honors in a variety of categories. The selection process begins with an open online call in October that enables people to submit up to two entries per category.

“I am humbled and honored to be recognized,” said Gonzmart, whose Columbia Restaurant Group is responsible for such area eateries as The Columbia, Ulele and Goody Goody. “I’m particularly excited because this is a time of great growth for our business, still family owned since 1905.”

Gonzmart credits his entire team for the honor.

“No recognition is the work of one person; it always stems from a team effort. None of us is as strong as all of us.”

The finalists for the 2017 Restaurant and Chef Awards will be announced in Los Angeles on March 15. The 2017 James Beard Awards Gala is set to take place at Lyric Opera of Chicago on May 1.

Photo of Richard Gonzmart at Goody Goody, which reopened in Tampa’s Hyde Park Village on Aug. 23, 2016. Image courtesy of the Columbia Restaurant Group