2024 James Beard Foundation Awards Arizona Semifinalists

The James Beard Foundation® has announced its 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists and 12 Arizona chefs and restaurants were recognized (for a complete list of all semifinalists, go to the James Beard Foundation website).

The 2024 Restaurant and Chef Award Arizona Semifinalists are:  

Best Chef: Southwest
Chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities, and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions.

• Rene Andrade, Bacanora, Phoenix

• Flavia Briones, Barista Del Barrio, Tucson

• Pornsupak “Cat” Bunnag, Glai Baan, Phoenix

• Wendy Garcia, Tumerico, Tucson

• Sam Greenhalgh, Forêt, Flagstaff

• Claudio Urciuoli, Source, Gilbert

Outstanding Restaurateur
A restaurateur who uses their establishment(s) as a vehicle for building community, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship, integrity in restaurant operations, and is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture, while contributing positively to their broader community.

• Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin, Cocina Chiwas and Tacos Chiwas, Tempe and Phoenix

Emerging Chef
A chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.  

• Roberto Centeno, Espiritu, Mesa

Best New Restaurant
A restaurant opened between October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023 that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine, seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come, and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community

• Ava Bakery, Phoenix

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
A pastry chef or baker who makes desserts, pastries, or breads. Candidate contributes positively to their broader community.

• Crystal Kass, Valentine in Phoenix.

Outstanding Bar
This award is presented to a wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, coffee bar, or any other business whose primary offering is beverage and that demonstrates consistent excellence in curating a selection or in the preparation of drinks, along with outstanding atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community

• Little Rituals in downtown Phoenix

Outstanding Hospitality
A restaurant, bar, or other food and drinking establishment that fosters a sense of hospitality among its customers and staff that serves as a beacon for the community and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community.

• Andreoli Italian Grocer, Scottsdale

Summer Cocktails Inspired By Monsoon Season At St. Francis

Summer in Phoenix is plain hot! But as the monsoons begin to roll in (such as today), moments of patio weather emerge during the late afternoon creating the perfect occasion for sipping one of Titus Fauntleroy’s new summer cocktails at St. Francis. 

As head bartender at the uptown Phoenix restaurant, Titus’ new summer cocktails are inspired by Arizona’s captivating summer weather. Focused on drinks that are refreshing, balanced and lean towards a lighter palette, Titus lets unique ingredients and liqueurs stand for themselves within each cocktail to create a taste that is never overpowering or overly sweet. A few of his favorites from his new summer cocktail menu at St. Francis include:

Cactus Margarita ($11): Chareau aloe vera liqueur, Pueblo Viejo tequila, agave nectar, lime and cayenne. Simply named, the Cactus Margarita is Titus’ favorite cocktail on the new menu made with a unique aloe vera liqueur, fresh herbs and seasonal fruit for lighter flavor.

Cloud Cover ($10): London Dry gin, Giffard Blue curacao, velvet falernum, and fresh squeezed lime juice. Inspired by the resurgence of tiki cocktails, velvet falernum from Jamaica delivers an exotic flavor paired with striking blue curacao.

Simple Thymes ($9): Zubrowka bison grass vodka, thyme simple syrup and fresh squeeze grapefruit juice.  The unique flavor of Zubrowka vodka from Poland is the highlight of this refreshing and aromatic cocktail. 

Tanlines ($10): Scarlet Ibis rum, Kraken Black rum, orgeat almond syrup, fresh squeezed orange juice, pineapple juice. Summer in a glass, a mix of rums and sweet fruits creates a light, fruit-focused cocktail.

The Dean ($11): Bourbon, Campari, Giffard vanilla and Breckenridge whiskey.  This one is for the boys! Fresh citrus balanced with vanilla for a lighter take on a gentleman’s cocktail. 

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Simple Thymes

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The Dean