The annual semifinalists nominations were released by the James Beard Awards this morning and Kansas City’s food and drink scene has something to celebrate.
By our count, the KC area has nine semifinalists, including five in the prestigious “outstanding” categories. This might be the most nominations we’ve ever received. The past two years, we had seven nominations. In 2022, we had only two.
Many of the chefs and restaurants nominated this year made our 30 Best KC Restaurants list, released at the beginning of this month.
Read KC’s James Beard semifinalist nominees below. For the full list, read here.
Outstanding Restaurant: Georges French Bistro (4618 E Central Ave #50, Wichita, KS)
This might be the first James beard nomination for this fine dining French restaurant, which makes it particularly exciting.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Helen Jo Leach of The Town Company (1228 Baltimore Ave, KCMO)
Leach is consistently recognized for her incredible pastries served at The Town Co., but this is her first James Beard nom. Well deserved, to say the least.
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: JJ’s Restaurant (4810 Roanoke Pkwy, KCMO)
We are pleasantly surprised to see JJ’s recognized for their beverage program. The restaurant, serving classic American fare, has sat West of the Country Club Plaza since 1985, but underwent new ownership at the end of last year.
Outstanding Bar: John Brown’s Underground (7 E 7th St, Lawrence, KS)
This speakeasy-type bar should not go under your radar. For those who have visited, it’s no surprise to see it recognized.
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: Jay Sanders, Wild Child (11022 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS)
Sanders is on a roll. The Wild Child owner continues to be recognized for sophisticated and creative Shawnee bars, including Drastic Measures, with Wild Child being dubbed one of the best new bars in America by Punch Drink and Bon Appétit.
Best Chef Midwest:
Linda Duerr, The Restaurant at 1900 (1900 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Mission Woods, KS)
In previous years, The Restaurant at 1900 has been recognized by James Beard for its outstanding hospitality. It also made our 30 Best KC Restaurants list this month. Needless to say, to see Duerr nominated is no surprise to us.
Johnny Leach, The Town Company (1228 Baltimore Ave, KCMO)
Leach has been a James Beard semifinalist twice before for his work at The Town Co., once for “Best Chef: Midwest” and another in the highly sought after “Outstanding Chef.” Here’s to hoping he makes it all the way to the final round.
Katie Liu-Sung, Chewology (900 Westport Rd, KCMO)
Lui-Sung is also on a roll. She was also nominated in the same category last year for her work at her Taiwanese street food restaurant Chewology.
Rozz Petrozz, Saltwell Farm Kitchen (214 N 800 Rd, Overbrook, KS)
Petrozz was a semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest last year and in 2022, the Douglas County farm-to-table restaurant earned a raving review from us.
