Chef Bryce Bonsack broke Tampa Bay’s years-long drought of James Beard Awards recognition when he was named a semifinalist in January.
Why it matters: On Tuesday, he took the Oscars for the American hospitality industry to the next level:
- Bonsack, the owner of Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Rocca, was named a finalist in the Best Chef: South category.
State of play: That makes Bonsack eligible to win the entire category during the awards ceremony June 15 in Chicago.
- He’ll compete against Maria La Mota and Chason Spencer of Jacksonville’s Chancho King, an Ecuadorian-inspired diner.
- The South region covers Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Puerto Rico. Two chefs from New Orleans and one from Rogers, Ark., rounded out the category.
Zoom out: Bonsack, La Mota and Spencer were the only Sunshine State names to make the finalist cut.
- Lakeland’s Born & Bread Bakehouse, named a semifinalist for “Outstanding Bakery” in January, didn’t make it to the next level.
Flashback: Bern’s Steakhouse has the region’s only Beard Awards, winning in 1992 for Outstanding Wine Service and 2016 for Outstanding Wine Program…