Food is the heart of Atlanta. Our meals are ingrained in how we welcome visitors, the most anticipated segment of celebrations and the reason for our beloved cookouts. We know food, and we know how to draw inspiration from our roots, from here in the south and across the world.
Rustic, creative American cuisine in Decatur. Classic southern BBQ with a Korean twist. A Cuban bakery bursting with original Miami flavors and a restaurant that embodies cross-cultural meals. These restaurants have a few commonalities: they call Atlanta home and are semi-finalists for the James Beard Awards, a prestigious honor in the food and drink world.
Southern chefs and restaurants are growing in influence – last year they cleaned up the James Beard awards, with our friend Mashama Bailey at the The Grey over in Savannah taking home the top award. As the reigning Outstanding Chef, Bailey is back this year securing another nomination for Outstanding Restaurant.
In January, the James Beard Foundation announced the semi-finalists for awards recognizing the nation’s best restaurants, chefs and bar programs. The foundation included eight Atlanta and two Georgia restaurants in five categories: Best Chef in the Southeast, Outstanding Restaurant, Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program, Outstanding Hospitality and Outstanding Bakery.
Best Chef in the Southeast:
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program:
Outstanding Hospitality:
Outstanding Bakery:
Variety, community and excellence are just a few elements of what Atlanta’s food scene offers. With our top-rated chefs, creative spins on classic dishes and an array of diverse plates, the national acclaim for our region’s chefs and restaurants is well-deserved.
Finalists will be announced on March 29, and the winners will be unveiled at a ceremony in Chicago on June 5.
