It’s that time of year again when the James Beard Foundation (a.k.a the Oscars of the culinary world) announces the semifinalists for its Restaurant and Chef Awards and in 2019, and Houston didn’t disappoint. These semi-finalists will be whittled down to finalists on March 27 at a press conference held at Houston’s own Hugo’s in Montrose. The James Beard Awards are set for May 6 in Chicago.
Outstanding Bar Program
Anvil Bar & Refuge, Houston
Outstanding Chef
Chris Shepherd, Georgia James, Houston. *Shepherd won Best Chef - Southwest in 2014.
Outstanding Restaurant
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation, Houston
Outstanding Restaurateur
Tracy Vaught, H Town Restaurant Group, Houston (Hugo’s, Caracol, Xochi, and others)
Outstanding Service
Hugo’s, Houston
Tony’s, Houston
Outstanding Wine Program
Pappas Bros. Steakhouse at the Galleria, Houston
Rising Star Chef of the Year
Jonathan “Jonny” Rhodes, Restaurant Indigo, Houston
Best Chef: Southwest
Ronnie Killen, Killen’s Steakhouse, Pearland, TX
Kaiser Lashkari, Himalaya, Houston
Trong Nguyen, Crawfish & Noodles, Houston
