14 MI Restaurants, Chefs Named 2024 James Beard Semifinalists

MICHIGAN — Fourteen Michigan restaurants and chefs were named 2024 James Beard semifinalists, the organization said Wednesday.

The James Beard Foundation awards, sometimes known as the “Oscars of food,” are among the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors. It recognizes eateries and chefs who create exceptional food, food media content, and better food systems, the organization said. They also demonstrate a commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.

Categories include outstanding restaurateur, outstanding chef, outstanding restaurant, emerging chef, best new restaurant, outstanding bakery, outstanding pastry chef or baker, outstanding hospitality, outstanding wine and other beverages program, outstanding bar and best chef.

Outstanding Restaurateur

• Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere, Baobab Fare, Detroit

Outstanding Restaurant

• Selden Standard, Detroit

Emerging Chef

• Rocky Coronado, Nepantla, Detroit

Best New Restaurant

• Alpino, Detroit

Outstanding Bakery

• Shatila Bakery, Dearborn

Outstanding Hospitality presented by American Airlines

• AlTayeb Restaurant, Dearborn

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

• Folk, Detroit
• Spencer, Ann Arbor

Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)

• Doug Hewitt, Freya, Detroit
• Ji Hye Kim, Miss Kim, Ann Arbor
• Dan Klenotic, Bellflower, Ypsilanti
• Hajime Sato, Sozai, Clawson
• John Yelinek, Ladder 4 Wine Bar, Detroit

"We are thrilled for the return of the James Beard Awards—recognizing the outstandingly talented leaders making their mark on American food,” Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, said in a news release.

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The restaurant and chef awards celebrate excellence from a wide variety of eateries and experiences, from fine-dining establishments to casual gems, and emerging talents to established luminaries.

The awards were established in 1990 and first awarded in 1991.

This year marks the third since the organization made sweeping changes following a 2021 audit to address longstanding bias.

Outstanding restaurateur recognizes people who use their establishment as a vehicle for building community, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship, integrity in their restaurant operations and strives to create a sustainable work culture, while making positive contributions to the community.

The outstanding chef category recognizes chefs who set “high culinary standards” and serve as a positive example for other food professionals, while making an impact on the broader community.

The outstanding restaurant category honors eateries that have a proven track record of excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, and make a difference in the community.