SLC's Water Witch bar named James Beard finalist

The intrigue: It's the first finalist nod a Utah business has gotten for a national — not regional — James Beard category since at least 2010, per the foundation's archive.

Flashback: It's only the latest recognition for the team behind Water Witch, the flagship bar of the revitalized Central 9th neighborhood.

• It also was a James Beard semifinalist in 2022.
• Its next-door sister, Bar Nohm, snagged a semifinalist nod in 2024 for chef David Chon.

Zoom out: Water Witch is Utah's fourth James Beard finalist in the past five years.

• The others were nominated for best chef in the mountain region: Mazza's Ali Sabbah (2023 and 2024), Urban Hill's Nick Zocco (2024) and Hell's Backbone Grill's Blake Spaulding (2020).

Catch up quick: The bar was one of eight James Beard semifinalists from Utah this year.

What we're watching: Water Witch owners Sean Neves and Scott Gardner have also dabbled in elaborately-themed pop-up bars in Sugar House and downtown.

• Their team has long been teasing a permanent tiki experience called Remora Bar at the former Campfire Lounge location on 2100 South.
• Remora's website promises an "oasis in the Great Basin" sometime this spring.