Roll out the red carpet, food lovers (and watch the crumbs). We got our finalists for the 2022 James Beard Awards — otherwise known as the Oscars of the culinary world — and Seattle stars are shining bright. 🌟
You’ll find three local chefs and one restaurant up for one of the profession’s most prestigious honors, which the James Beard Foundation revamped after a two-year hiatus and internal audit. This is a huge deal because even being nominated is a game changer for any chef or restaurant — no matter how long they’ve been around.
The winners will be announced during a ceremony in Chicago on Mon., June 13 — so mark your calendars. While we wait for that day, here’s what you need to know about our local kitchen rock stars.
2022 finalists 🏆
- Rachel Yang + Seif Chirchi, Joule | Nominated for: Outstanding Chef (national) | This dynamic culinary couple has been serving exemplary Korean fusion cuisine in Fremont for years, earning several regional James Beard nominations in the past. If you’ve ever tried “that short rib steak” you’ll understand what the hype’s about.
- The Walrus and the Carpenter | Nominated for: Outstanding Restaurant (national) | Chef Renee Erickson’s iconic seafood spot — with some of the best oysters in town — has been charming locals + visitors alike for over a decade.
- Mutsuko Soma, Kamonegi | Nominated for: Best Chef (northwest and pacific) | Fremont’s sensational queen of soba has earned awards nods in the past, and is now the lone Seattle representative in this regional category.
Past winners to visit 🍽️
- Cafe Juanita, 9702 NE 120th Pl., Kirkland | Tues.-Wed., 5-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 5-9:30 p.m. | Chef Holly Smith nabbed Best Chef Northwest in 2008 for her fine-dining take on Northern Italian cuisine — and she hasn’t missed a beat since.
- Canlis, 2576 Aurora Ave. N | Tues.-Sat., 5 p.m.-12 a.m. | Queen Anne’s fine-dining icon won multiple James Beard Awards over the years. It’s currently under the purview of Aisha Ibrahim, the first female executive chef in the restaurant’s 70-year history.
- Lark, 952 E. Seneca St. | Tues.-Sat., 5-9 p.m. | Chef John Sundstrom earned a 2007 win for Best Chef Northwest thanks to his local farm-focused, small plate dynamo in Capitol Hill. It recently reopened after a two-year hiatus.
Who’s got next? 🔮
Fancy medallions are great, but we want to hear about your tastes. Are there restaurants or local chefs you think deserve some more love? Who might we see repping Seattle at the James Beards in the future? Send us an email, and let us know about the unrecognized award-worthy meals by email: hello@theseatoday.com.
