Here Are SF’s 2018 James Beard Award Finalists

Awards season is in full swing as the finalists for the James Beard Foundation Awards were announced today in Philadelphia. The awards include various aspects of the hospitality industry, including chefs, restaurateurs, and media.

This year San Francisco was well represented throughout, though the city’s semifinalist for nominations for outstanding pastry chef, Michelle Polzine (20th Century Café) and rising star chef Rachel Aranow (Alembic) didn’t make it through, leaving SF without representation in those categories.

Meanwhile, the Charter Oak, owned by Meadowood’s Christopher Kostow and Nathaniel Dorn, maintains it’s place in the running for Best New Restaurant. It’s helmed by chef Katianna Hong, making it one of two restaurants run by women in that category. In the running for Best Chef West, Dominique Crenn is the Bay Area’s sole nominee, and one of two women nominated in a category of five chefs.

Restaurant and chef category winners will be announced at the James Beard Awards Gala, on Monday, May 7 in Chicago.

Check out the full list of nominations in all categories here.

2018 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards Finalists

Best New Restaurant

The Charter Oak, St. Helena CA

Outstanding Baker

Belinda Leong and Michel Suas: B. Patisserie, San Francisco

Outstanding Bar Program

Bar Agricole, San Francisco

Trick Dog, San Francisco

Best Chef: West (CA, HI, NV)

Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn, San Francisco)

Outstanding Chef

David Kinch, Manresa, Los Gatos CA

Christopher Kostow, The Restaurant at Meadowood | St. Helena CA

Outstanding Restaurant

Quince, San Francisco

Outstanding Service

Saison, San Francisco

Zuni Café, San Francisco

Outstanding Wine Program

Benu, San Francisco

Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional

Cathy Corison (Corison Winery, St. Helena CA)

Miljenko Grgich (Grgich Hills Estate, Rutherford CA)

Steve Matthiasson (Matthiasson Wines, Napa CA)

Lance Winters (St. George Spirits, Alameda CA)