Today, the James Beard Foundation announced semifinalist nominees for its 2020 awards. These awards are seen as some of the highest honors in the food world. And, the Phoenix area scored a lot of nominations this year. That's a whopping 17 nominations in 10 categories.
- Best New Restaurant: Vecina
- Outstanding Bar Program: Little Rituals
- Outstanding Chef: Nobuo Fukuda of Nobuo at Teeter House
- Outstanding Hospitality: Kai Restaurant (Gila River Indian Community)
- Outstanding Restaurant: Pizzeria Bianco
- Outstanding Pastry Chef: Country Velador, SuperChunk Sweets & Treats (Scottsdale)
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Mike Mastro and Jeff Mastro, Prime Steak Concepts (Dominick’s Steakhouse, Steak 44, Ocean 44)
- Outstanding Wine Program: FnB (Scottsdale)
- Rising Star Chef of the Year: Cassie Shortino, Tratto
- Best Chef, Southwest: Ryan Swanson, Kai; Stephen Jones, the Larder + the Delta; Chrysa Robertson, Rancho Pinot; Silvana Salcido Esparza, Barrio Café Gran Reserva; Samantha Sanz, Talavera; Shinji Kurita, Shinbay Omakase Room; Danielle Leoni, The Breadfruit & Rum Bar; Bernie Kantak, Citizen Public House