A few St. Louis culinary stars are starting the day with some great news: They’re in the running for the prestigious James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards slated for mid-June.
The James Beard Foundation on Wednesday announced its semifinalists for the 2022 Restaurant and Chef Awards, one of five separate recognition programs for the country’s top chefs and restaurateurs.
Local semifinalists include “Emerging Chef” nominee Ben Grupe of Tempus. Grupe opened his highly acclaimed restaurant in the Grove in October 2020. He previously served as executive chef for Elia and Olio.
Nominees for “Best Chef: Midwest” are Rob Connoley of Bulrush, located in Grand Center; Craig Rivard of Little Fox in South City; Evy Swoboda of Brasserie by Niche in the Central West End; and Ben Welch of the newly opened Botanica in Wildwood.
Elise Mensing, also of Brasserie by Niche, is nominated for “Outstanding Pastry Chef.” Vicia, the farm-to-table concept in the Central West End, is recognized for both “Outstand Wine Program” and “Outstanding Bar Program.”
Winners will be announced during a ceremony on Monday, June 13, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Since 1991, the James Beard Foundation awards has recognized exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries. Its namesake, American chef, author and TV personality James Beard, was declared by The New York Times as the “dean of American cookery,” and hosted the nation’s first food program, which premiered in 1946.
