These 6 Atlanta Chefs are Ranked Among the Best

If you’re a foodie like me, then you might already know about the James Beard Awards. Or maybe you’ve watched the Julia drama on HBO and noticed her friend, James Beard.

If you’re not familiar… it’s a very prestigious award, highlighting a chef’s leadership in food and restaurants… in certain categories.

6 Atlanta Semifinalists

The following chefs are the Georgia representatives in the full list of 2024 semi-finalists. And listen… this is a HARD list to get on. While we don’t yet know the winners, even a “semifinalist” position is an honor!

• Arnaldo Castillo, Tio Lucho’s (Best Chef Southeast)
• Erika Council, Bomb Biscuits (Best Chef Southeast)
• Rod Lassiter and Parnass Savang, Talat Market (Best Chef Southeast)*
• Duane Nutter, Southern National (Best Chef Southeast)
• Atsushi Hayakawa, Hayakawa (Outstanding Chef)*
• Cooks & Soldiers (Outstanding Hospitality)

Additionally, Pete Amadhanirundr from Puma Yu’s in Athens, GA was also nominated for Best Chef Southeast.

*These restaurants are also Michelin Star recipients

What’s the difference between a Michelin Star and a James Beard Award?

Michelin Stars and James Beard Awards are both prestigious recognitions in the culinary world, but they have different focuses and origins.

Michelin Stars are primarily about the quality and art of cooking, with a focus on the food itself and the overall dining experience.

Michelin Stars (1, 2 or 3) are awarded to restaurants based on the quality of the food, mastery of technique, personality of the chef in the cuisine, value for money, and consistency over time. Inspectors are anonymous and pay for their meals to ensure unbiased reviews.

James Beard Awards, on the other hand, have a broader scope, recognizing not only chefs and restaurants but also other contributors to the culinary industry in America.

JB Awards cover all aspects of the industry, including chefs and restaurateurs, cookbook authors, food journalists, restaurant designers, and more. These awards are often seen as a recognition of excellence and achievement in the American food industry, and they are only awarded in the US.

There are a ton of categories like Best New Restaurant, Outstanding Chef, Outstanding Pastry Chef, as wellas regional Best Chef awards.