A Myrtle Beach chef has made the list of semifinalists for a James Beard Award in 2026.
Heidi Vukov, owner and chef at Hook & Barrel, was among 20 chefs nominated for the “Best Chef Southeast,” which includes South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.
“This recognition is incredibly meaningful to me,” Vukov said by email. “Hook & Barrel was built on the belief that great food and genuine hospitality go hand in hand. To be acknowledged by the James Beard Foundation is an honor I share with my entire team, whose hard work, dedication and passion make what we do possible every day.”…