ASHEVILLE – The first-round candidates for an esteemed national culinary arts awards program have been announced, with four representing Western North Carolina.
On Jan. 24, the James Beard Foundation released the list of semifinalists for its 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards.
The Market Place in Asheville and The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge Inn in Blowing Rock were named semifinalists for Outstanding Restaurant.
“It’s probably one of the most exciting days I’ve had; to have the honor to be recognized for the work we’re doing and the work we do with the community feels good,” said William Dissen, chef and owner of The Market Place.
Jason Sellers, chef and owner of Plant in Asheville and Kanlaya “Gun” Supachana, of Dalaya Thai Cuisine in Sylva, are semifinalists in the category of Best Chef: Southeast.
The Southeast region includes Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Sellers began working in the food and beverage industry in 1987, but it wasn’t until 2004 that he became dedicated to culinary arts full-time, he said. For more than 20 years, he’s continued to hone his skills cooking vegetarian and vegan cuisine.