Alabama chef, restaurant among 2023 James Beard Awards finalists
For the second year in a row, Alabama chef Timothy Hontzas of Johnny’s Restaurant in Homewood has been named a finalist for the James Beard Award for best chef in the South.
Also, Birmingham’s Bottega restaurant is a first-time finalist for outstanding hospitality.
The James Beard Foundation announced the 2023 restaurant and chef finalists this morning.
Hontzas, who has redefined the traditional meat-and-three with his marriage of Greek and Southern cuisine, is among five finalists in his category.
He was also a finalist for best chef in the South last year, when fellow Birmingham chef Adam Evans of Automatic Seafood and Oysters won the award.
The best chef in the South category recognizes chefs from the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as Puerto Rico.
Bottega, which is among five finalists for outstanding hospitality, is owned by Birmingham restaurateurs Frank and Pardis Stitt, whose Highlands Bar and Grill previously won the James Beard Award for the most outstanding restaurant in America in 2018.
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Another Birmingham restaurant, Pizza Grace had been among the semifinalists for best new restaurant that were announced earlier this year but was not among today’s list of finalists.
Named for the celebrated chef, cookbook author and television personality whom the New York Times called “the dean of American cookery,” the James Beard Awards were first presented in 1991 and have become known as “the Oscars of the food world,”
The 2023 winners will be announced at a red-carpet, black-tie ceremony on June 5 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
In addition to Evans and Highlands Bar and Grill, previous James Beard Award winners from Alabama include:
Dolester Miles, Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham, most outstanding pastry chef, 2018.
Chris Hastings, Hot and Hot Fish Club, Birmingham, best chef in the South, 2012.
The Bright Star, Bessemer, America’s Classic winner, 2010.
Frank Stitt, Highlands Bar and Grill, best chef in the Southeast, 2001.
Past winners are not eligible to win a James Beard Award again in the same category.
For the full list of this year’s restaurant and chef finalists, go here.
This post will be updated.
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