A Tacoma chef is in the running to receive a 2024 James Beard Award , one of the most coveted recognitions in the American restaurant industry.
Derek Bray, chef and co-owner of The Table , a highly seasonal restaurant that opened in 2015, has been selected as a semifinalist in the annual awards. It is the first time a Tacoma chef has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation, which announced its “long list” for 2024 this morning.
In 2013, chef John Howie — who at the time was a partner in Adriatic Grill (2008-2018) but was better known for his restaurants in Bellevue and Bothell — was nominated in the restaurateur category.
At his pared-down eatery on Sixth Avenue, Bray has earned a reputation for now-classic dishes like braised elk in a spicy huckleberry cream sauce scooped with slices of grilled sourdough and an ever-changing roster of small and large plates focused on locally sourced ingredients.
In 2022, he operated Incalmo at Museum of Glass with business partner and sommelier Trevor Hamilton. Hamilton’s wine lists have been recognized by Wine Spectator in recent years.