Tamara Palmer

All the James Beard Awards California Semifinalists

Tamara Palmer
All the James Beard Awards California Semifinalists

BY TAMARA PALMER

Hot off the presses, the James Beard Foundation has announced the 2020 semifinalists for this year’s James Beard Awards this morning.

It’s a big pack at the moment, but it’ll be whittled down next month. Finalists will be announced on March 25.

Here are all the California contenders at this point in the game:

Best New Restaurant

  • Beit Rima, San Francisco

  • Nightshade, Los Angeles

  • Pasjoli, Santa Monica

  • Verjus, San Francisco

Outstanding Baker

  • Avery Ruzicka, Manresa Bread, Los Gatos

  • Na Young Ma, Proof Bakery, Los Angeles

Outstanding Bar Program

  • OTOTO, Los Angeles

  • Trick Dog, San Francisco

Outstanding Chef

  • David Kinch, Manresa, Los Gatos

  • Christopher Kostow, The Restaurant at Meadowood, St. Helena

  • Corey Lee, Benu, San Francisco

  • Ludo Lefebvre, Trois Mec, Los Angeles

Outstanding Hospitality

  • Saison, San Francisco

  • Swan Oyster Depot, San Francisco

Outstanding Pastry Chef

  • Lincoln Carson, Bon Temps, Los Angeles

  • Juan Contreras, Atelier Crenn, San Francisco

  • Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles

Outstanding Restaurant

  • House of Prime Rib, San Francisco

  • Kogi BBQ, Los Angeles

  • Quince, San Francisco

Outstanding Restaurateur

  • Thomas McNaughton, David Steele and David White, Ne Timeas Restaurant Group, San Francisco (Flour + Water, Central Kitchen, Trick Dog)

  • Willy Ng, Magic Gourmet Trading, San Francisco (Koi Palace, Dragon Beaux, Palette Tea House)

Outstanding Wine Program

  • Great China, Berkeley

  • The Morris, San Francisco

  • Night + Market Sahm, Venice

Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Producer

  • Cathy Corison, Corison Winery, St. Helena

  • David Favela, Border X Brewing, San Diego

  • Yoshihiro Sako, Den Sake Brewery, Oakland

  • Lance Winters, St. George Spirits, Alameda

Rising Star Chef of the Year

  • Matthew Kammerer, Harbor House Inn, Elk

  • Gaby Maeda, State Bird Provisions, San Francisco

Best Chef: California (new for 2020)

  • Genet Agonafer, Meals by Genet, Los Angeles

  • Kim Alter, Nightbird, San Francisco

  • Val M. Cantu, Californios, San Francisco

  • Rocío Camacho, La Diosa de los Moles, Paramount

  • Gabriela Cámara, Cala, San Francisco

  • Josef Centeno, Orsa & Winston, Los Angeles

  • Jeremy Fox, Birdie G's, Santa Monica

  • Brandon Go, Hayato, Los Angeles

  • Brandon Jew, Mister Jiu's, San Francisco

  • Jessica Koslow, Sqirl, Los Angeles

  • Mourad Lahlou, Mourad, San Francisco

  • Mei Lin, Nightshade, Los Angeles

  • Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, Bavel, Los Angeles

  • Niki Nakayama, n/naka, Los Angeles

  • Brandon Rodgers and Ian Scaramuzza, In Situ, San Francisco

  • Carlos Salgado, Taco María, Costa Mesa

  • Joshua Skenes, Angler, San Francisco

  • James Syhabout, Commis, Oakland

  • Karen Taylor Waikiki, El Molino Central, Boyes Hot Springs

  • Pim Techamuanvivit, Kin Khao, San Francisco