Earlier today the James Beard Foundation released its semi-finalist nominations for the 2024 awards. Wisconsin chefs, you may remember, have taken home awards in both 2022 (The Diplomat’s Dane Baldwin, Milwaukee) and 2023 (Itaru Nagano and Andrew Kroeger, Fairchild, Madison). Before we look closely at our state noms, Milwaukee represents in both the Best Chef: Midwest and Outstanding Chef categories.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Here are the Wisconsin chefs and restaurants named as 2024 Janes Beard Award semi-finalists:
Outstanding Chef: Gregory León, Amilinda, Milwaukee
Emerging Chef: Bryce Stevenson, Miijim, La Pointe
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Syovata Edari, CocoVaa Chocolatier, Madison
Outstanding Hospitality: Pasture and Plenty, Madison
Best Chef – Midwest:
- Ross Bachhuber and Samuel Ek, Odd Duck, Milwaukee
- Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite, EsterEv, Milwaukee
- Kyle Knall, Birch, Milwaukee, WI
- Sean Pharr, Mint Mark, Madison
The finalists in the chef and restaurant categories will be announced on April 3, and winners will be revealed at Beard’s awards gala in Chicago on June 10.
