Plus, the Bite of Seattle food festival has a new operator.
 
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The envelopes please…

Seattle’s 10 James Beard Award semifinalists for 2024
Halved oysters and a few lemon wedges sit on a bed of crushed ice next to some steamed clams that are on a separate dish.
Walrus and the Carpenter, while delicious always, is also a great place to bring visitors who want a taste of some solid PNW oysters. | Photo by Eric Tra
Roll out the red carpet, food lovers (and watch the crumbs). On Jan. 24, the semifinalists were announced for the 2024 James Beard Awards — one of the culinary world’s most prestigious prizes — and Seattle stars are shining bright.

Mark your calendars for April 3, when the finalists will be announced. A June 10 ceremony in Chicago will reveal the winners. Here’s the local flavor.

🏆 2024 semifinalists

Quynh-Vy and Yenvy Pham, Pho Bac | Nominated for: National Outstanding Restaurateur| 2024 is the second year in a row these two have been nominated in this major category — and with good reason, too. The Pho Bac family of restaurants are still a standard bearer.

Aaron Verzosa, Archipelago | Nominated for: National Outstanding Chef | This chef is also no stranger to the James Beard Awards. Verzosa was nominated for the regional version of this category in 2023 and 2022.

The Walrus and the Carpenter | Nominated for: National Outstanding Restaurant | As a consistently delicious seafood staple in the city, it’s no wonder this is the third time this restaurant’s name has made the list of nominations.

Janet Becerra, Pancita | Nominated for: National Emerging Chef | Becerra recently expanded her Mexican food pop-up into a full-fledged restaurant with tempting dishes like scallop aguachile and brisket tacos.

Seven loaves of golden brown bread sit aesthetically stacked above a shelf of wines.

Sometimes we like to judge food by whether or not it would be nice to take a nap on or in. These loaves from Ben’s Bread looks like they’d make a really cozy sleeping bag.

|

Photo by @bensbreadseattle

Ben Campbell, Ben’s Breads | Nominated for: National Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker | Campbell’s loaves are chewy, golden brown, naturally leavened, and made from local grains.

Eight Row | Nominated for: National Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program | Like its menu inspired by the orchards of Central Washington, you’ll find several labels from wineries in Walla Walla. Its creative cocktails are stellar, too.
That's just the appetizer
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What other restaurants, bars, or chefs should have been nominated?
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Events
Thursday, Jan. 25
  • The Disabled List Comedy Festival 2024 | Thursday, Jan. 25-Friday, Jan. 26 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., Seattle | $30-$35 | Enjoy filmed sketch and live stand-up by comics with disabilities — there will be a couple of special guests, too.
Friday, Jan. 26
  • Winter Sip and Paint | Friday, Jan. 26 | 6-8:30 p.m. | West Wall Bar, 900 Poplar Place S., Seattle | $45 | Paint a cozy little cardinal while you warm up with a nice drink.
Saturday, Jan. 27
  • Beer + Yoga | Saturday, Jan. 27 | 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Cairn Brewing, 7204 NE 175th St., Kenmore | $20 | Stretch to your heart’s content, then satisfy your palate with a yummy brew.
  • Inked Up: Conversation with John Ellis and Wendy Orville | Saturday, Jan. 27 | 3-5 p.m. | Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, 550 Winslow Way, Bainbridge Island | $10-$12 | Listen to the artist talk about the inspiration behind all of his monotypes and monoprints in conversation with another printmaker.
Sunday, Jan. 28
  • Donuts and Drag Brunch | Sunday, Jan. 28 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | The Rabbit Box, 94 Pike St., Seattle | $10 | Start your Sunday with sparkles, donuts, delicious drinks, and fab performers.
  • Bohemia | Sunday, Jan. 28 | 7:30 p.m. | The Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle | $29 | Set in 1890s Prague, this cabaret covers the Bohemian culture’s basics: love, music, and absinthe. Expect burlesque, aerial performances, and piano battles.
Events calendar here
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Shop

Don’t be part of this 80%
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Never wait in line at a supermarket again with a Thrive Market membership. | Photo by Thrive Market
80% of Americans are anticipated to abandon their New Year’s resolutions by the end of this month due to life’s unavoidable disruptions.

Fortunately, Thrive Market simplifies the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, with:
  • Discounts: Shop food and products for up to 30% less than traditional grocers
  • Perks: Snag 30% off your order when you become a member
  • Gifts: Receive a complimentary gift, valued up to $60, upon joining
  • Free shipping: Spend $49+ and get groceries delivered for free
Join Thrive Market for 30% off
News Notes
Festival
  • Chew on this — Bite of Seattle, one of the city’s biggest food festivals, is under new management again. The festival was brought back in 2023 by Kirkland startup Cheq, but has been sold to the California-based festival operator Foodieland. (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Sports
  • Quarterback Will Rogers has announced his intention to play for the Huskies next season. After the former Mississippi State QB committed to UW in 2023, he re-entered the transfer portal following coach Kalen DeBoer’s exit. But now Rogers said he’s staying put. (Seattle Times)
Edu
  • The Washington State Senate is considering increasing pay for state school board members for the first time since 1987. The new bill would raise the base salary cap from $4,800 to $6,000 per year with an additional $.50 for each student enrolled in each member’s school district. Most would earn ~$31,000 a year. (Seattle Times)
Open
  • Chicken, rice, and everything nice is what you can expect on the menu at Ballard’s new restaurant Ginger & Scallion. The location, owned by the same team as Secret Congee, specializes in Hainanese chicken + rice with varying sauces and broths. Check it out at 500 NW 65th St. (My Ballard)
Coming Soon
  • G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S. Instagram viral jewelry band Mejuri is opening a new location in Bellevue Square this spring. The brand, known for its intended everyday use, is set to open next to Warby Parker. This is the second Seattle-area location. (Downtown Bellevue Network)
Civic
  • ICYMI, batteries and electronics are no longer allowed in the garbage as of Jan. 1, due to a new rule from Seattle Public Utilities. Instead, the department is asking residents to drop off the items at one of a few stations around town for safety reasons.
Eat
  • Indulge in an exclusive culinary experience in the iconic Space Needle upon the world’s first and only revolving glass floor, 500 ft. above the city. The Loupe Lounge offers guests limited-edition menus, featuring showstopping mixology paired with locally-influenced food towers. Reserve your spot.*
Active
  • Got an exercise goal, but not sure which gym is worth it? Get a free month of ClassPass + sample multiple gyms and studios with just one membership.*
 
Culture

How’s your cosplay coming along?

Where to find sweet costumes year-round in Seattle
238530550_569581834182983_5646009635913338926_n.jpg
You too can look like an all-powerful wizard with the help of some well-designed fabrics. | Photo by @jack.gillin
Nerds — and we say that as nerds ourselves — know Halloween isn’t the only time you might find yourself in need of a sick costume.

With Emerald City Comic Con (ECCC) right around the corner and Ren Faire in the not-so-far future, many are already on the hunt for their cosplay work. Here are a few local shops that can help you in your journey to look incredible.

⚔️ A Masquerade Costume, Redmond | From capes to giant powdered wigs to chainmail, this store has well-designed pieces to transform the wistful into something wonderful.

⚔️ Red Light Vintage, U District | While finding chainmail may be a bit harder to do here, you’ll certainly have a good time finding time period pieces from the 1920s to the 2000s.

⚔️ Champion Party Supply, Interbay | This shop is more like a classic Halloween-friendly shop, but don’t write it off for a quick solution when ECCC creeps up.
The Buy

The Buy 1.25.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Your new favorite water bottle: the Owala Travel Tumbler. It combines the best of Stanley’s viral tumbler with Owala’s smart design. We’re liking colors “Bunny Hop” and “Foggy Tide.”
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The Wrap
 
Alina Hunter-Grah headshot

Today’s edition by:
Alina
From the editor
As a southerner myself, I can say that there’s definitely some suspicion when it comes to restaurants up here that claim to make good southern food. We’ve all been spurned with food that either needed more love or more spices. But, I have yet to hear that about Kristi Brown’s Communion that also got a regional James Beard nomination. In fact, those compliments are formatted like this 90% of the time.

“You know, I wasn’t too sure because I haven’t had much good Southern food up here. But that was a damn good meal.”

That’s a high honor.
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