BJ Lieberman and Avishar Barua are James Beard semifinalists for Best Chef: Great Lakes
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Two Columbus chefs are on the list of semifinalists announced this morning for James Beard Awards.
Avishar Barua and BJ Lieberman, among a new generation of chefs who’ve helped elevate the local dining scene in recent years and brought national attention to the city, were among 20 semifinalists from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois for Chef of the Year in the Great Lakes region.
Barua, who competed on Bravo’s “Top Chef” in 2021, is the owner of Joya’s in Worthington and Agni in the Brewery District. Lieberman is the chef and co-owner with his wife of Hiraeth and Ginger Rabbit Jazz Lounge in the Short North and Chapman's Eat Market in German Village, which has been featured in The New York Times.
Experience Columbus encouraged people to nominate local chefs and restaurants for this year’s James Beard Awards, one of the highest honors in the industry. None has ever been recognized as a James Beard winner.
Sarah Townes, chief marketing and innovation officer for Experience Columbus, said the recognition that comes with today's announcement helps the city's efforts to elevate its dining profile.
"BJ Lieberman and Avishar Barua are incredibly talented chefs," she said via email. "Columbus has long been a food city with amazing restaurants and chefs, and in the past few years Avishar and BJ have brought even more attention to our culinary scene through their new restaurants, creative menus and special events where they bring in guest chefs from around the country. They exemplify the passion, collaboration and hospitality that our city is known for, and we’re so happy for them."
Lieberman was a semifinalist for the Great Lakes regional title in 2023. Other semifinalists have included Spencer Budros of Pistacia Vera for Outstanding Baker in 2020, James Anderson of Ray Ray’s Hog Pit for Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2020, and Richard Blondin of The Refectory and Kent Rigsby of Rigsby’s Kitchen for Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2012.
This year’s semifinalists for the regional honor include chefs of four other Ohio restaurants: Erik Bentz and Elaine Uykimpang Bentz of Cafe Mochiko, Cincinnati; Vinnie Cimino of Cordelia, Cleveland; Jeffery Harris of Nolia Kitchen, Cincinnati; Jose Salazar of Mita’s, Cincinnati.
Winners will be announced June 10.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Avishar Barua and BJ Lieberman are James Beard Award semifinalists
