9 North Carolina Chefs Are James Beard Award Semifinalists

NORTH CAROLINA — Prestigious, national culinary prizes are in order for several North Carolina restaurants and restaurateurs thanks to the James Beard Foundation.

Wednesday, the foundation announced semifinalists for its annual awards, and multiple local options made the list.

There are still several rounds before the final James Beard awards are given. "Winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 13, 2022, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago," the semifinal's announcement states.

Check out the North Carolina 2022 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists below:

Outstanding Restaurant

• Chai Pani, Asheville, NC

Emerging Chef

• Cleophus Hethington, Benne on Eagle, Asheville, NC

Best New Restaurant

• MACHETE, Greensboro, NC
• Nani's Piri Piri Chicken, Asheville, NC

Outstanding Baker

• Susannah Gebhart, Old World Levain (OWL) Bakery, Asheville, NC

Outstanding Hospitality

• Cúrate, Asheville, NC

Outstanding Bar Program

• Alley Twenty Six, Durham, NC

Best Chef: Southeast

• Katie Button, Cúrate, Asheville, NC
• Greg Collier, Leah & Louise, Charlotte, NC
• Oscar Diaz, The Cortez, Raleigh, NC
• Sunny Gerhart, St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar, Raleigh, NC
• Cheetie Kumar, Garland, Raleigh, NC
• Ricky Moore, SALTBOX Seafood Joint, Durham, NC
• Peyton Smith, Mission Pizza Napoletana, Winston-Salem, NC
• Stephanie Tyson, Sweet Potatoes, Winston-Salem, NC
• Aaron Vandemark, Panciuto, Hillsborough, NC