James Beard Award semifinalists

The James Beard Foundation’s committee has announced its 2023 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists. Many in the restaurant world consider this to be the Academy Awards for their industry. The winners will be celebrated at an award ceremony on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.  The 2023 restaurant and chef semifinalists are recognized across 23 categories, including the new award for outstanding bakery. This year, the foundation’s committee has named the following finalists from the state of Michigan: outstanding restaurateur – Sandy Levine, owner of Chartreuse, Freya, Dragonfly, in Detroit and the Oakland in Ferndale; outstanding chef –  Hajime Sato of Sozai, in Clawson; emerging chef  – Amado Lopez of Casa Amado Taqueria in Berkley; outstanding bakery – Good Cakes and Bakes in Detroit; outstanding wine and other beverages program – Spencer in Ann Arbor; best chef, Great Lakes category includes Omar Anani of Saffron De Twah in Detroit, Abra Berens from Granor Farm in Three Oaks, Norberto Garita of El Barzon in Detroit, Andy Hollyday from Selden Standard in Detroit, Ji Hye Kim from Miss Kim in Ann Arbor, Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere, Baobab Fare in Detroit, Mike Ransom of Ima in Detroit and Sarah Welch from Marrow in Detroit. jamesbeard.org