No Arizona Chefs or Restaurants Were Named Finalists for 2023 James Beard Awards

The winners will be announced on June 5

by H. Drew Blackburn Mar 29, 2023, 10:58am MST

Closeup of the James Beard Foundation award medal. — James Beard Foundation award medal.

The James Beard Foundation announced the finalists for its 2023 awards this morning, and while Arizona had a number of bars, restaurants, and chefs on the semifinalist list, none of them advanced to the final shortlist.

Among the semifinalist nominees were:

Best Chef: Southwest

Rene Andrade and Roberto Centeno, Bacanora
Fernando Hernández, Testal
Yotaka and Alex Martin, Lom Wong
Jaren Bates and Brett Vibber, Table at Junipine, Sedona
Nephi Craig of Café Gozhóó, Whiteriver
Wendy Garcia from Tumerico, Tucson

Outstanding Restaurant

Proper Meats + Provisions, Flagstaff

Outstanding Chef

Silvana Salcido Esparza, Barrio Café

Emerging Chef:

Christian Lowe of Shift Kitchen & Bar in Flagstaff

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

Glai Baan, Phoenix

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker:

Crystal Kass, Valentine

Outstanding Bakery

JL Patisserie, Phoenix and Scottsdale

The 2023 James Beard Award winners will be announced during a ceremony taking place Monday, June 5, at Lyric Opera in Chicago.

Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards. Eater is partnering with the James Beard Foundation to livestream the awards in 2023.