Triangle restaurants and chefs land seven James Beard Award nominations
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David Ellis, head chef at Raleigh's Figulina. Photo: Courtesy of Jeff Bramwell
Triangle-area chefs and restaurants are well represented in this year's batch of James Beard Award nominations, with seven local groups receiving semifinalist nominations for the prestigious awards.
Why it matters: The James Beard Awards, often referred to as the Oscars of the restaurant industry, can bring nationwide attention to a restaurant or dining scene.
- In recent years, Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen and Durham chef Ricky Moore's award wins helped build their reputations across the country and created new opportunities for them to expand their local businesses.
Zoom in: David Ellis, who opened the pasta-centric restaurant Figulina in Raleigh last year, was working in the kitchen Wednesday morning when his phone began blowing up with calls and texts that his restaurant was nominated for Best New Restaurant.
- One of the calls, he said, was from his former boss Christensen, who told him to "buckle up" for the wave of new diners who often arrive after restaurants land a nomination.
- "Getting a nomination is huge ... my whole life it's been my dream to open my own restaurant," Ellis told Axios. "Every day still feels like a new chance to see what this restaurant can be and where we can take it next. We're still kind of developing our identity, so every day is fun."
Driving the news: The James Beard Foundation revealed its semifinalists for its 2025 awards on Wednesday.
Local nominees include:
- Scott Crawford, the chef behind Raleigh restaurants like Crawford & Son, Brodeto and Jolie, was nominated for Outstanding Restaurateur.
- Ricky Moore, the owner of Saltbox Seafood Joint in Durham, was given a nod for Outstanding Chef.
- Christopher Prieto, of Knightdale's Prime Barbecue, was nominated for Best Chef: Southeast.
- Raleigh chef Sunny Gerhart and his partner Lauren Krall Ivey were also nominated for Best Chef: Southeast for his new Wilmington restaurant Olivero.
- Bhavin Chhatwani, the chef at Tamasha Modern Indian in North Hills, is a semifinalist for Emerging Chef.
- Raleigh restaurant Figulina was nominated for Best New Restaurant.
- Bar Beej, a Bollywood-themed speakeasy that's connected to the Indian restaurant Cheeni in downtown Durham, is a semifinalist for Best New Bar.
Flashback: The Triangle has historically had a good run at the James Beard Awards.
- Ricky Moore, of Durham's Saltbox Seafood Joint, won "Best Chef: Southeast" in 2022; Raleigh's Ashley Christensen won the award in 2014; Chapel Hill's Andrea Reusing in 2011; and Ben Barker in 2000 for his work at the now-closed Durham restaurant Magnolia Grill.
- In 2019, Christensen also won the overall "Outstanding Chef."
Zoom out: In total, 15 restaurants across North Carolina received a semifinalist nomination this year, including an Outstanding Chef nod for William Dessen of Asheville's The Market Place and Best Chef: Southeast nominations for Sam Diminich of Restaraunt Constance in Charlotte and Silver Iocovozzi of the Asheville restaurant Neng Jr.'s.
- In the months since Hurricane Helene, Dissen has been an outspoken advocate for the western North Carolina hospitality industry, from hosting fundraisers to pushing for public aid for the local restaurant community.
What's next: James Beard finalists will be announced April 2, and winners will be revealed in Chicago on June 16.