Six Houston-area restaurants and chefs on Tuesday were named finalists for this year’s James Beard Awards.
Why it matters: Being nominated is one of the dining industry’s highest honors.
- Greater Houston had a dozen semifinalists this year.
Here are the finalists from Houston:
- Emerging Chef: Adrian Torres, Maximo
- Best New Restaurant: Agnes and Sherman
- Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: June Rodil, March
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught, H-Town Restaurant Group (Hugo’s, Xochi, Urbe, and others)
- Best Texas Chef: ChòpnBlọk’s Ope Amosu, and JŪN’s Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu
Flashback: Last year, there were 13 nods and four finalists in the Houston area, and Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast was named Best Texas Chef…