Austin has made it into the finals for this year’s James Beard Awards. The city just barely held on in the national categories, with wine pro Arjav Ezekiel of Birdie's pulling through. The city has no representation in the nominations for Best Chef: Texas.
Here are all of the Texas nominees in the national categories:
- Emerging Chef: RJ Yoakum, Georgie (Dallas)
- Best New Restaurant: Ema (Houston)
- Best New Restaurant: Mabo (Dallas)
- Best New Bar: Bar Colette (Dallas)
- Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Arjav Ezekiel, Birdie’s (Austin)
- Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: March (Houston)
- Outstanding Bakery: Starship Bagel (Dallas)
- Outstanding Hospitality: Mixtli (San Antonio)
The nominees for Best Chef: Texas include two nominees from Houston. Here are all of the nominees in the category:
- Thomas Bille, Belly of the Beast (Spring)
- Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó (Houston)
- Emil Oliva, Leche de Tigre (San Antonio)
- Regino Rojas, Purépecha (Dallas)
- Michael Anthony Serva, Bordo (Marfa)
The finalists are drawn from the semifinalists who were announced in January. Houston led the way with 13 total semifinalist nominations. Dallas and San Antonio restaurants earned eight semifinalist nominations each, followed by six for Austin-area establishments.
Considered the Oscars of the food world, the James Beard Foundation announced the finalists for its Restaurant and Chef Awards on Wednesday, April 2. The awards recognize excellence by chefs and other culinary professionals in a wide range of categories ranging from Outstanding Chef to Best New Restaurant.
For 2025, the James Beard Foundation added three new categories to recognize the beverage side of hospitality: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. Austin's Ezekiel could be a pioneer in his category.
Plenty of restaurants in Austin have great beverage programs, but no one takes ownership quite like beverage director Ezekiel does. He and his wife, 2024 Best Chef: Texas finalist Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, both act as equal faces of the restaurant, which has won praise for serving fine dishes and wine in a casual, homey setting.
Reflecting his journey from a sommelier to a restaurateur (and Esquire's Wine Guru of the Year in 2022), Ezekiel's wine choices are deeply considerate of the experience from plate to glass, and more importantly, retain a sense of both fun and approachability. Biride's regularly hosts events with their own curated wine lists, and has even collaborated with a winemaker on a new cuvée, directly bringing more offerings to Austin's wine scene.
"This feels like the accomplishment of a lifetime," wrote Ezekiel when announcing his nomination in January. "Thank you @beardfoundation—and especially @tracymalechek without whom I’d never have tried to do this wine thing. Grateful for all of it. The dreams of a little undocumented boy coming to life in technicolor."
Winners must also have “demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive,” according to the organization’s website. The awards also include media categories that will be announced on May 7.
“These remarkable leaders exemplify our 'Good Food for Good' mission through their commitment to excellence, to the evolution of the independent restaurant industry, and our broader food culture,” James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach said in a statement. “We look forward to celebrating everyone at the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards in June.”
The Foundation will reveal its Restaurant and Chef Award winners at an awards ceremony on Monday, June 16, 2024, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
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This article includes information localized for Austin by city editor Brianna Caleri.
