Two Houston Chefs Named 2017 James Beard Award Finalists

One veteran and a newcomer will represent Houston in the 2017 James Beard Awards. Hugo Ortega, chef and owner of Hugo's, and Jianyun Ye, the chef at Mala Sichuan Bistro, are the only two Houston names on the finalists list, something that will likely have more than a few people in the city's dining scene a tad upset.

The two are contenders in the Best Chef Southwest category, and while Ortega is accustomed to the nod — this is his sixth nomination in the category — Ye was a surprise nominee. His Mala Sichuan Bistro is beloved by restaurant-industry folks, and he's known for, among other things, good technique with the Sichuan peppercorn.

The nominees were announced Wednesday in Los Angeles, and the awards will be bestowed at the JamesBeard Awards Gala, which will be held in Chicago on May 1.

Houston chefs Anita Jaisinghani of Pondicheri, Manabu Horiuchi of Kata Robata, and Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan of The Pass & Provisions were semifinalists.

The other chefs competing in the Best Chef Southwest category are Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine in Austin, Steve McHugh of Cured in San Antonio, Martin Rios of Restaurant Martin in Santa Fe and Steve Redzikowski of Acorn in Denver.

Find the complete list of 2017 James Beard Award finalists here.

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— Image courtesy James Beard Foundation