Published Jan 25, 2023 by A.J. Mistretta
It’s another big year for some of Houston’s brightest culinary talents. Ten chefs and restaurants are among the semifinalists for the 2023 James Beard Awards.
Justin Yu’s Theodore Rex, which has become a staple in its north Downtown neighborhood, is up for the Outstanding Hospitality Award while Chris Williams of Lucille’s Hospitality Group is nominated for Outstanding Restauranteur.
Northwest side Mexican eatery Tatemó is nominated in the Best New Restaurant category and EaDo hotspot Nancy’s Hustle is nominated in the category of Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program.
When it comes to emerging talent, Cochinita & Co. Chef Victoria Elizondo is representing Houston while Christine Ha and Tony J. Nguyen of Xin Chào are up for overall Outstanding Chef.
Four local chefs are nominated in the category of Best Chef: Texas.
The James Beard Awards are widely recognized as the “Oscars of the Food World.” Finalists will be announced on March 29 with the awards ceremony following on June 5 in Chicago.
Previous local winners include Hugo Ortega (2017), Justin Yu (2016), Chris Shepherd (2014) and Robert Del Grande (1992) all in the "Best Chef: Southwest" category. Since then, the awards have carved out Texas as its own regional category.
Learn more about Houston's culinary scene.