James Beard Nominations Honor Coronavirus-Scarred Food Scene

NEW YORK CITY – The dining rooms might be closed, but the quality of New York City's food is still being honored.

This year's James Beard awards might have become a painful reminder of what we're missing, but they're still a celebration of what the nation's kitchens are producing in better times – and this year's nominees feature New York City prominently.

The list's publication was postponed this year as organizers instead focused "on the James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund, which to date has disbursed more than $4 million to independent, locally owned restaurants around the country," the foundation said on its website.

But, after consultation with restarateurs, it was decided the awards should still go ahead. They look at work done in 2019 and the winners will be announced in September, though the usual physical ceremony won't be held.

The nominees from NYC by category are:

Outstanding Baker

Zachary Golper/Bien Cuit/NYC

Outstanding Chef

Missy Robbins/Lilia/NYC

Outstanding Pastry Chef

Natasha Pickowicz/Flora Bar/NYC

Miro Uskokovic/Gramercy Tavern/NYC

Outstanding Restaurateur

Alex Raij and Eder Montero/La Vara, Saint Julivert Fisherie, TxikitoNYC

Jason Wang/Xi'an Famous Foods/NYC

Best Chef: New York State

Sean Gray/Momofuku/NYC
Brooks Headley/Superiority Burger/NYC
Junghyun Park/Atomix/NYC
Daniela Soto-Innes/ATLA/NYC
Alex Stupak/Empellón/NYC

See the full list of nominees here.

The James Beard Foundation solicits entries for the awards in mid-October of each year. They are reviewed by the Restaurant and Chef Committee to determine eligibility and regional representation, and are then voted on by more than 600 judges from across the country to determine the final nominees.

The same group of judges, which is comprised of leading regional restaurant critics, food and wine editors, culinary educators, and past James Beard Award winners, then votes on the nominees to select the winners.