The James Beard Awards announced its list of semi-finalists for 2024, and a total of 12 SF restaurants and chefs were honored as semi-finalists for the awards.
The James Beard Awards are known as one of the most prestigious honors in the U.S. culinary industry. Established more than 30 years ago, the awards not only recognize exceptional talent and achievement, they aim to recognize those who have positively impacted their communities, racial and gender equality, and sustainability. On February 28, the Restaurant and Chef American Classics awards winners will be announced.
San Francisco’s Semi-Finalists
The list includes some familiar names, including Kiln, a minimalist’s dream that features 28 courses and was named one of the top new restaurants by Esquire is a semi-finalist along with Dalida Chefs Laura Ozyilmaz and Sayat Ozyilmaz, who are no strangers to recognition in the culinary industry. Their newest venture, Dalida, a chic Mediterranean restaurant in the Presidio, was also one of Esquire’s picks for top new restaurants. Pacific Cocktail Haven is an iconic SF establishment, winning “Best American Cocktail Bar” from the Tales of the Cocktail Awards, and Bartender Kevin Diedrich won “Best American Bartender” in 2020.
Whether you’re excited to see some of your favorite names on the list or looking forward to trying new places, it’s exciting to see SF restaurants and chefs receiving well-deserved recognition.
- Outstanding Chef
- Sylvan Mishima Brackett, Rintaro
- Emerging Chef:
- Emily Lim, Dabao Singapore
- Best New Restaurant:
- Kiln
- Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
- Kristina Costa, Loqua
Photo by Mohammad Gorjestani. Courtesy of Loquat
- Outstanding Hospitality
- Lazy Bear
- Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
- The Morris
- Outstanding Bar
- Pacific Cocktail Haven
- Best Chef by region, California
- Azalina Eusope, Azalina’s
- Srijith “Sri” Gopinathan, Copra
- Jeong-In Hwang, San Ho Won
- Kristina Liedags Compton, Hilda and Jesse
- Laura Ozyilmaz and Sayat Ozyilmaz, Dalida
About the James Beard Foundation
The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit that aims to support America’s culinary culture. The foundation first started in 1986 when it opened the James Beard House, a center for the culinary arts. Since then, the foundation has been a major part of the culinary industry. Their mission is to celebrate and support those in the culinary community.