The James Beard Foundation announced the 2022 finalist of the James Beard Awards. California (unsurprisingly) has a number of outstanding restaurants & chefs on the list.

So if you’re looking for some great eats in California, keep reading!

What is the James Beard Foundation?

The James Beard Foundation is named after James Beard (bet you didn’t see that one coming!).

Born in 1903, he was a marginal (i.e., failed) actor who had a passion for good food and cooking. We are all better for his poor acting and phenomenal cooking skills.

Over the course of his long life, he wrote many, many cookbooks, opened a cooking school, and promoted a message of good food, prepared with fresh ingredients.

When he passed away in 1985, his friends wanted to honor his legacy, and the James Beard Foundation was born.

What are the James Beard Awards?

The James Beard Awards were founded in 1990, with the first nominees being awarded in 1991.

A James Beard Award is the highest honor in the food industry, the foodie equivalent of the Academy Awards.

For over 30 years, the James Beard Awards have celebrated exceptional talent in culinary arts and hospitality.

This year’s awards are the first after the Foundation undertook a year-long audit to remove any systemic bias, to increase diversity in the nominees, and to increase diversity in the voting body.

The winners will be announced on June 13 at a fancy-schmancy awards dinner in Chicago.

The Nominees, Please

So now that you know what the James Beard Awards are, let’s get into California’s nominees.

Outstanding Restaurateur

A restaurateur who uses their establishment(s) as a vehicle for building community, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship, integrity in restaurant operations, and is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture.

• Greg Dulan, Dulan’s Soul Food Restaurant, Los Angeles

• Willy Ng, Koi Palace, Dragon Beaux, and Palette Tea House, San Francisco

Outstanding Chef

A chef who sets high culinary standards and has served as a positive example for other food professionals.

• Reem Assil, Reem’s, Oakland and San Francisco, CA

• Niki Nakayama, n/naka, Los Angeles

Outstanding Restaurant

A restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations while contributing positively to its broader community.

• Paragary’s, Sacramento, CA

• Post & Beam, Los Angeles

Emerging Chef

A chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.

• Casey Felton, Bahn Oui, Los Angeles

• Crystal Wahpepah, Wahpepah’s Kitchen, Oakland, CA
  

Best New Restaurant

A restaurant opened in 2020 or 2021 that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine and hospitality and seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come.

• ABACÁ, San Francisco 

• Angry Egret Dinette, Los Angeles

• Horn BBQ, Oakland, CA

Outstanding Pastry Chef

A pastry chef or a chef who makes desserts, pastries, or breads served as part of a meal. Candidate demonstrates exceptional skills and can be affiliated with any food business and does not need a brick-and-mortar presence.

• Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles

Outstanding Baker

A baker of breads, pastries, or desserts who displays exceptional skill. Eligible candidates must consistently sell goods directly to the public, but do not need a brick-and-mortar presence.

• Joseph, Archalous, and Caroline Geragosian, Old Sasoon Bakery, Pasadena, CA

• Clement Hsu, Katherine Campecino-Wong, and James Wong, Breadbelly, San Francisco

Outstanding Hospitality

A restaurant that demonstrates consistent and excellent hospitality and service to its dining community, while also making efforts to provide a sustainable work culture.

• House of Prime Rib, San Francisco

Outstanding Wine Program

A restaurant or bar that demonstrates excellence in wine service through a carefully considered wine list and a well-informed approach to helping customers choose and drink wine. The candidate makes efforts to create and foster a diverse portfolio of wines and wine team members.

• The Punchdown, Oakland, CA

Outstanding Bar Program

A restaurant or bar that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the selection, preparation, and serving of cocktails, spirits, and/or beer. Candidate makes efforts to foster a diverse portfolio of brands and team members.

• Friends and Family, Oakland, CA

• Genever, Los Angeles

Best Chef

Chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities, and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions. A candidate may be from any kind of dining establishment but must have been working as a chef in the region for at least three years.

Northern California

• Chris Barnum-Dann, Localis, Sacramento, CA
• Sylvan Mishima Brackett, Rintaro, San Francisco
• Val M. Cantu, Californios, San Francisco
• Srijith Gopinathan, Ettan, Palo Alto, CA
• Brandon Jew, Mister Jiu’s, San Francisco
• Matthew Kammerer, The Harbor House Inn, Elk, CA
• Heena Patel, Besharam, San Francisco
• Melissa Perello, Octavia, San Francisco
• James Syhabout, Commis, Oakland, CA
• Pim Techamuanvivit, Nari, San Francisco

Southern California

• Keith Corbin, Alta Adams, Los Angeles
• Tony Ho, Sea Harbour Seafood Restaurant, Rosemead, CA
• Judept Irra, Tamales Elena y Antojitos, Bell Gardens, CA
• Bryant Ng, Cassia, Santa Monica, CA
• Natalia Pereira, Woodspoon, Los Angeles
• Minh Phan, Phenakite, Los Angeles
• Justin Pichetrungsi, Anajak Thai, Los Angeles
• Carlos Salgado, Taco María, Costa Mesa, CA
• Sarintip “Jazz” Singsanong, Jitlada, Los Angeles
• Anthony Wells, Juniper and Ivy, San Diego

Congratulations to all of the nominees!