Arizona restaurants and chefs shut out of 2023 James Beard Award finals. What we know
The finalists for the 2023 James Beard Awards were announced on Wednesday morning and Arizona had no finalists.
None of Arizona's semifinalists, including chef Silvana Salcido Esparza and restaurants Glai Baan and Proper Meats + Provisions, made it to the final round.
The last time no Arizona chefs or restaurants advanced as finalists was 2018. El Guero Canelo of Tucson did receive the James Beard Foundation's 2018 America's Classics Awards.
The 2023 winners in the restaurant and chef categories will be announced at the James Beard Foundation award ceremony on June 5, 2023, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The James Beard Awards, the most prestigious in the culinary world, were established in 1990. The first awards ceremony took place in 1991. They recognize excellence in a range of food categories, from casual to fine dining, from newcomers to culinary masters.
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How Arizona chefs reacted to the James Beard Award announcement
Chef Christian Lowe, who cooks at Shift Kitchen & Bar in Flagstaff and was a semifinalist in the Emerging Chef Category, posted an Instagram story saying, "Congratulations to those who made it." Chef Dara Sprinces Wong, the owner of Shift, posted a story addressed to Lowe, "Even thought Chef didn't make it on this list, I'm super proud of you."
Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza's Instagram story had a photo of Susan Lucci with a medal and award superimposed on it. The caption read, "Always a bridesmaid #9." Esparza owns Barrio Cafe in Phoenix.
Chef Jaren Bates of The Table at Junipine in Sedona, said, "Life goes on."
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Arizona's 2023 James Beard Award semifinalists
Best Chef — Southwest
Rene Andrade, Roberto Centeno and Derek Christensen, Bacanora in Phoenix.
Jaren Bates and Brett Vibber, The Table at Junipine in Sedona.
Nephi Craig, Café Gozhóó in Whiteriver.
Wendy Garcia, Tumerico in Tucson.
Fernando Hernández, Testal in Phoenix.
Yotaka and Alex Martin, Lom Wong in Phoenix.
Outstanding Chef
Silvana Salcido Esparza, Barrio Café in Phoenix.
Outstanding Restaurant
Proper Meats + Provisions in Flagstaff.
Emerging Chef
Christian Lowe, Shift Kitchen & Bar in Flagstaff.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Crystal Kass, Valentine in Phoenix.
Outstanding Bakery
JL Patisserie in Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Glai Baan in Phoenix.
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Reach the reporter at BAnooshahr@azcentral.com. Follow @banooshahr on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: James Beard Awards 2023: Arizona chefs and restaurants shut out
