Chef Bryce Bonsack is no stranger to accolades, having already earned a Michelin star for Rocca Tampa as part of his ascent to becoming one of Tampa’s most recognized and celebrated chefs. Now he has the city, and his talents, back on the national stage after he was named a finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef: South.
While Michelin stars and ratings carry plenty of cachet among the dining public, the Beard Awards are considered the ultimate honors within the culinary industry. For one thing, there are far fewer of them to go around, with awards like this covering entire regions and only specific category, as opposed to the Michelin guide that focuses in on singular cities and has multiple tiers of honors.
Bonsack, who has also earned local and national praise for his restaurant group’s newer projects Bar Terroir and Streetlight Taco, is up against an incredible lineup of chefs throughout the south. Just to be named one of five finalists is an impressive feat, considering the competition from cities like New Orleans, Atlanta, Charleston, Miami, Savannah, and more…