Restaurants & Bars

3 Austin Chefs Nominated For Prestigious James Beard Award

Southwest 'Best Chef' contenders: Kevin Fink of Emmer & Rye; Michael Fojtasek of Olamale; and Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine.

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Three Austin chefs have been named finalists for the James Beard Best Chef Southwest title, representing a domination of the field for the prestigious honor.

The finalists for the competition were revealed on Wednesday morning. Nominated for the prize are Kevin Fink of Emmer & Rye; Michael Fojtasek of Olamale in his second consecutive nomination; and Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine in his seventh consecutive nod.

Texas also is represented with the nomination of Steve McHugh of Cured in San Antonio. The remaining finalist slot is occupied by Charleen Badman of FnB in Scottsdale, AZ. The finalists were revealed on Wednesday morning, and will be bestowed during a May 6 ceremony in Chicago that will be live streamed.

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Past Austin winners of the high honor include Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue (2015), Paul Qui (2012) and Tyson Cole of Uchi (2011) who was the first local chef so honored.

For more information, visit jamesbeard.org/awards. For the complete list of all finalists, click here.

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