Detroit and Dearborn are once again carving out their place in the culinary spotlight, with several local chefs and restaurants landing coveted spots on the semifinalist list for the prestigious 2024 James Beard Awards. The list, unveiled Wednesday, celebrates those in the industry who've made a significant mark on the food scene.
Despite having been nodded in previous years, the duo behind Baobab Fare, Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere snagged a nomination once more, this time for Outstanding Restaurateur. According to The Detroit News, they are making an impression with their Woodward-based Detroit eatery. Meanwhile, Selden Standard, a Midtown establishment, has also been recognized in the Outstanding Restaurant category.
Among the fresh faces on the list is Rocky Coronado of Nepantla, a rising vegan chef who grabbed a spot in the Emerging Chef category. Coronado is charting a course for what could be an acclaimed future with their upcoming Mexican plant-based restaurant. In the running for Best New Restaurant is Corktown's Alpino, bringing European and Alps-inspired flavors to the former Lady of the House space on Bagley, according to a report by the Detroit Free Press.
The Best Chef: Great Lakes category, always hotly contested, celebrates culinary talents from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Michigan's representation is robust with Doug Hewitt of Freya, Ji Hye Kim of Miss Kim, Dan Klenotic of Bellflower, Hajime Sato of Sozai, and John Yelinek of Ladder 4 Wine Bar, all hoping to take home the prize. As Dearborn's AlTayeb restaurant vied for the Outstanding Hospitality award, Shatila Bakery, known for its Middle Eastern sweets, has beenetted a nomination for Outstanding Bakery, Metro Times reported.
The beverage scene is not to be outdone, with the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category featuring Folk in Detroit and Spencer in Ann Arbor. The final nominees are set to be announced on April 3, with the awards ceremony scheduled for June 10 in Chicago. For more information on the semifinalists or to view the entire list, food enthusiasts can visit the James Beard Foundation's official website.
