Arizona chef Rene Andrade wins 2024 James Beard Award

Zoom in: Bacanora opened in 2021 on Grand Avenue. Andrade is also a co-owner of Espiritu in Mesa and Huarachis Taqueria in downtown Phoenix.

• Each restaurant is beloved locally for serving traditional Mexican fare with a modern twist.
• Bacanora is most acclaimed for its wood-fired meats — a byproduct of Andrade's grill master skills.

What they're saying: In his acceptance speech, Andrade said he was inspired by his grandmother and by watching the love she put into her food as she cooked for their family.

• "I just want to be like her. She's the representation of magic to me," he said.

What we're watching: Following his win, Andrade told Axios he's in the process of opening yet another restaurant that will pay respect to his Mexican roots.

• He said he couldn't reveal the name just yet, but hinted that it would play on the word "classic."

The intrigue: Andrade also told us Phoenix is his home and he has no plans to leave.

• He said he's part of a cohort of Arizona chefs who have forced a new appreciation of Mexican food. It's not just "cheap" eats, but dishes worthy of respect, he said.
• "Mexican food is on the scale of big, big, big things and we have to keep it there," Andrade said. "We have to keep nurturing it."

Between the lines: Valentine's Crystal Kass was a finalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker but lost out to Atsuko Fujimoto of Portland, Maine's Norimoto Bakery.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information and quotes.