San Antonio's James Beard hopes remains unsatiated

San Antonio left empty-handed from last night's James Beard Awards ceremony celebrating the best chefs and restaurants in the country.

State of play: We started with four semifinalists representing the Alamo City, and those were whittled down to two: Mixtli for outstanding restaurant and Chris Cullum, of Cullum's Attaboy, for best chef in Texas.

• None clinched the top prize this year.

Yes, but: One bright spot shone for Texas during the ceremony in Chicago.

• Ana Liz Pulido, chef and owner of Ana Liz Taqueria in Mission, won best chef in Texas, beating out her counterparts in larger cities.
• Pulido is proud to represent her South Texas and Mexican culture at her small restaurant, where everything is made from scratch, she told Axios.

Between the lines: Going home with an award or not, making it off the long list of semifinalists is résumé-worthy.