If you venture into St. Joseph this week, stop by Krewe as Mateo Mackbee was nominated as a James Beard Finalist for Best Chef in the Midwest! First, it was Flower & Flour getting recognized by the New York Times, and now Krewe in St. Joe is getting a big culinary nod thanks to Mateo. Chef Mackbee is joined by 10 other Minnesota chefs and restaurants to be nominated for a James Beard Award.

The James Beard Awards are a big deal in the culinary community. According to the James Beard Foundation "Considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors, the James Beard Awards recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity, sustainability, and creating a culture where all can thrive. The Restaurant and Chef Awards—established in 1990, with the first Awards given in 1991—celebrate excellence across all types of dining experiences, from fine dining to casual establishments, and are one of several recognition programs of the Awards"

In total 11 Minnesota restaurants/cafes/chefs were nominated as a semi-finalist.

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Under Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton chef Ann Ahmed, Khâluna, Minneapolis, MN was nominated.

Under the category of Outstanding Restaurant presented by Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water Spoon and Stable in Minneapolis was nominated.

Under Best New Restaurant two Minnesota restaurants were nominated Bûcheron and Vinai both in Minneapolis were a semifinalists.

In the category of Outstanding Hospitality presented by American Airlines Minnesota saw Mucci's in Saint Paul be nominated.

In the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program Bar Brava in Minneapolis was a semi-finalist.

Mateo Mackbee, was nominated for a James Beard for Best Chef in the Midwest. Joining Chef Mackbee from Minnesota on that list includes:

  • Shigeyuki Furukawa, Kado no Mise, Minneapolis, MN
  • Abraham Gessesse, Hyacinth, St. Paul, MN
  • Diane Moua, Diane's Place, Minneapolis, MN
  • Karyn Tomlinson, Myriel, St. Paul, MN

Right now it's great to be a semi-finalist but the real key is to make the finals and then be awarded a James Beard Award in June. Here is the remaining timeline for this award.

Nominees will be announced on Wednesday, April 2, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago

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