Dallas-Fort Worth has eight James Beard semifinalists
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Bars, bagels and barbecue from North Texas are contenders for a James Beard award this year.
- The James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists Wednesday for this year's awards.
Why it matters: The James Beard Awards are the Oscars of the restaurant industry, but North Texas hasn't won an award in years.
State of plate: Semifinalists from the Dallas-Fort Worth area include two bars, several chefs and a bagel shop.
- The finalists will be announced in April and the winners will be announced in June at an award show in Chicago.
Here are the semifinalists from North Texas...
Bars
Apothecary: The cocktail lounge in Lower Greenville is a semifinalist in the outstanding bar category. It is attached to Rye, whose bar manager earned a spot on Michelin's first Texas guide.
Bar Colette: The upscale West Village bar is a contender for best new bar. Its compact setting offers blush velvet seating, Deco-style design and interesting and spirit-forward concoctions.
Food
Mābo: The omakase restaurant with a small dining room and premium prices is a semifinalist for best new restaurant.
Starship Bagel: The shop got its start in Lewisville and has three locations in North Texas. It has won several awards in the bagel world. Now, it's a contender for outstanding bakery.
Chefs
Georgie: Executive chef RJ Yoakum, who trained at the French Laundry and came to Dallas in 2023, is a contender for emerging chef.
Doña Maria: Mother-daughter duo Anais Paniagua and Iris Rojas are semifinalists for best chef in Texas. Their Irving restaurant specializes in Dominican food, including empanadas and stews.
Purépecha: Chef Regino Rojas, a semifinalist for best chef in Texas, showcases cuisine from the Mexican state of Michoacán in this intimate setting behind Revolver Taco Lounge in Deep Ellum. He was also a semifinalist last year.
Smoke'N Ash BBQ: Fasicka and Patrick Hicks combined their Ethiopian and Texas heritage to open this fusion barbecue restaurant in Arlington. They are semifinalists for best chef in Texas.