TEXAS — The James Beard Foundation has announced its restaurant and chef finalists for this year, and many hail from the Lone Star State. The James Beard Awards have been around since 1990 and are one of the most prestigious honors in the food world.
In the category of Best Chef: Texas, seven chefs representing five restaurants are up for the award. The finalists are Ope Amosu from ChòpnBlọk in Houston, Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu from JŪN in Houston, Scott Girling from Osteria II Muro in Denton, Gabe Padilla and Melissa Padilla from Café Piro in Socorro and Finn Walter from The Nicolett in Lubbock.
Representing Texas for Outstanding Restaurateur are Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught of H Town Restaurant Group in Houston. H Town Restaurant Group is known for its restaurants Xochi and Hugo’s, along with others in the Houston area…