Bed-Stuy Chef, Bar Named 2024 James Beard Semifinalists

BED-STUY, NY — In a city overflowing with good food, a celebrated Bed-Stuy chef and bar have risen to the top of the food chain.

The James Beard Foundation on Wednesday announced its semifinalists for 2024 awards — and, as usual, New York City landed a huge number of restaurants and chefs in the running.

Some standout cooks and hot spots could win big in categories recognizing outstanding chefs, standout new restaurants, great baked goods, best newcomer chefs and outstanding restaurateurs.

In Bed-Stuy, repeat award-winner Ayo Balogun landed on the James Beard Foundation's shortlist for New York state's best chef — last year, Balogun's Dept of Culture was a nominee for best new restaurant.

Roller-rink-themed bar All Night Skate, located on Rockaway Avenue near Marion Street, is a semifinalist as an outstanding bar alongside Lower East Side spot Double Chicken Please.

"Floored. One of two bars in NYC to be nominated for [James Beard] Outstanding Bar," All Night Skate Owners wrote on Instagram. "Thank you to our amazing staff & community of supporters."

The James Beard Foundation awards, sometimes known as the “Oscars of food,” are among the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors — and New York City consistently lands chefs and restaurants in the ranks.

Just last year, Atomix chef Junghyun Park took the James Beard award for best chef. Seven New York City restaurants and chefs were finalists for James Beard nods in 2023, including Amanda Cohen of Dirty Candy and Nasim Alikhani of Brooklyn's Sofreh.

In Manhattan, Upper West Side Afro-Caribbean eatery Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi, which was also named among the country's top 50 restaurants in 2023.

Superiority Burger is also in the running for James Beard's outstanding restaurant category — just another nod in the cap for the East Village eatery that also landed on Michelin Guide's 2023 ranking of best value eats.

The James Beard Foundation 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.

"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.