Miami Chef Nando Chang Wins James Beard Award for Best Chef: South at Itamae AO

Miami's culinary scene shines again as Chef Nando Chang of Itamae AO scooped up the James Beard Award for Best Chef: South, a recognition his sister Val also earned just last year. The Peruvian-born chef's victory was announced during an award ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Itamae AO, launched in 2024, has been on a winning streak, not only bagging the James Beard Award but also acquiring its first Michelin star this year. “As bittersweet as this moment is for many immigrants in America, I want to say I could not be prouder or feel stronger to be a part of this beautiful country,” Chang said, reflecting on his identity and experiences, according to a Miami Eater report.

The sentiment echoed in his speech matches the global culinary ethos of Itamae AO, renowned for its Nikkei cuisine—a harmonious blend of Peruvian and Japanese flavors. A heartfelt moment in his speech, cited by Miami Herald, came as Chef Chang thanked his "favorite chef and sister, Val," along with other members of his family for their support.

The chef's journey began at Miami's MIA Market in 2018, with the family's first iteration of Itamae. While his sister pivoted to open Maty's, her own Peruvian restaurant, Nando Chang conjured up Itamae AO. Situated inside Maty's, but with a separate entrance, this 10-seat sensation has been drawing attention with its array of sashimi, nigiri, anticuchos, and aguadito. Chang's commitment to a personal dining experience is unwavering: “It’s something I’ve dreamed of for a long time, to go straight to omakase," he told the Miami Herald. "That’s the kind of experience I want to provide." While focused on Itamae AO, Chang has temporarily reopened the original Itamae, within Maty's. A line highlighted from the Miami Herald interview shows his culinary philosophy: "We want every single bite to make you go ‘Whoa!’"