James Beard award semifinalists named in Seattle, Portland, Boise

Are you a foodie looking for great meal when traveling outside the Tri-Cities? The James Beard Foundation has announced the semifinalists for its annual awards celebrating the top restaurants and bars, including many in the Pacific Northwest. 

Considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors, the awards celebrate excellence across all types of dining experiences, from fine dining to casual establishments, and are one of several recognition programs of the foundation. Categories for bars and beverage services were added to this year’s awards. 

Here are the semifinalists for establishments in and around Seattle, Portland and Boise: 

Outstanding Restaurateur 

Quynh Pham and Yenvy Pham, Phở Bắc Súp Shop, Phởcific Standard Time, and The Boat, Seattle. 

Outstanding Chef 

• Sarah Minnick, Lovely’s Fifty Fifty, Portland.
• Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon, Portland. 

Outstanding Restaurant 

Coquine, Portland. 

Best New Restaurant 

• Atoma, Seattle.
• FamilyFriend, Seattle.

Outstanding Bakery 

• Saint Bread, Seattle. 
• JinJu Patisserie, Portland. 

Outstanding Hospitality 

Archipelago, Seattle. 

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program 

Ltd Edition Sushi, Seattle. 

Outstanding Bar 

• Roquette, Seattle. 
• Scotch Lodge, Portland. 

Best New Bar 

Sophon, Seattle. 

Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service 

• Linda Milagros Violago, Canlis, Seattle. 
• Joel Gunderson, Heavenly Creatures, Portland. 

Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service 

Anu Apte, Rob Roy, Seattle. 

Best Chef (Northwest, Pacific) 

• Jay Blackinton, Houlme, Orcas Island. 
• Logan Cox, Homer, Seattle. 
• Aisha Ibrahim, Canlis, Seattle. 
• Ajay Panicker, Kathakali, An Indian Eatery, Kirkland. 
• Jun Takai, Takai by Kashiba, Bellevue. 
• Thomas Pisha-Duffly, Gado Gado, Portland. 
• Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro, Portland. 
• Sarah Schafer, Humble Spirit, McMinnville. 
• Kari Shaughnessy, Hayward, McMinnville. 
• Salvador Alamilla, Amano, Caldwell. 
• Rémi Courcenet and Nathan Whitley, Terroir, Boise. 
• Cal Elliott, The Avery, Boise.

For nationwide list of semifinalists, click here.