Oklahoma City’s restaurant scene has been on a roll these past few years. If the endless spree of openings, the out-of-town expansions and the crowded dining rooms aren’t indication enough, look no further than our city’s impressive showing at this year’s James Beard Awards.
Regarded as one of the foremost restaurant awards in the world, the James Beard Awards are to food as the Grammys are to music, or the Oscars are to film. In other words, snagging one of these coveted trophies, which are doled out annually at a glitzy ceremony in Chicago, is no small feat. In 2022, Florence Jones became the first Oklahoman to take home a James Beard Award — an America’s Classic Award, for her namesake Florence’s Restaurant. A year later, Andrew Black became the first Oklahoman to win a chef award at the 2023 ceremony, for Best Chef: Southwest, and his theatrical tasting menus at Grey Sweater…