2023 James Beard Award semifinalists: Asheville chef, restaurant on the list

Tiana Kennell, Asheville Citizen Times
·3 min read
Silver Iocovozzi is ready to share cuisine from the Philippines to diners in traditional and unexpected ways as the chef and owner of Neng Jr.'s.
Silver Iocovozzi is ready to share cuisine from the Philippines to diners in traditional and unexpected ways as the chef and owner of Neng Jr.'s.

ASHEVILLE - Asheville’s hospitality industry is back in the running for an esteemed awards program that celebrates the best chefs and restaurants in America.

On Jan. 25, the 2023 James Beard Foundation Awards semifinalists were announced with a couple of local names on the list.

Josiah McGaughey of Vivian is a semifinalist for Best Chefs - Southeast.

Neng Jr.'s is a semifinalist for Best New Restaurant.

"This is completely unexpected and kind of out of left field, honestly," said McGaughey, who learned about the honor while driving to Vivian when congratulatory calls and messages began to come in from friends.

In 2017, McGaughey and his wife-business partner, Shannon, opened Vivian at 348 Depot St. suite 190 in the River Arts District. The restaurant, named after McGaughey's grandmother, focuses on European cuisine and techniques using ingredients from the Appalachians.

More:West Asheville eatery No. 3 on Esquire's list of 'Best New Restaurants in America'

McGaughey, 41, has worked in restaurants since age 15 in Chicago and Asheville. Before Vivian, the McGaugheys operated a food trailer called Salt & Smoke.

"I've been working under some really great people, some not really great people, and learning my way through things through trial and error," he said.

McGaughey acknowledges his wife and past and present staff's part in his semifinal status for Best Chefs - Southeast: "In my opinion, this is a restaurant nomination and not an individual nomination."

"There's no way I can do all this by myself by any means. My wife, business partner and general manager is a huge part of this. I think we create an environment that's comfortable and accessible," he said. "I think it's apparent that we all love and enjoy what we're doing here and I think when you walk through the door, it's there right away. When you sit down and you eat the food, when you leave, you're feeling very comforted. Maybe you had a good time, maybe you've had good conversation with friends, and it's all based on environment and staff."

More:Recap: Asheville food, beverage industry shined in national spotlight in 2022

This is the first time McGaughey or Vivian to be recognized by the James Beard Foundation.

Neng Jr.'s opened last summer at 701 Haywood Road in West Asheville. The Filipinx restaurant is headed by chef Silver Iocovozzi, who said, "Neng Jr.’s is turning into something more than what I could’ve ever imagined," in a previous interview with Citizen Times.

The restaurant has been recognized by national media, including Esquire which ranked Neng Jr.'s No. 3 on its Best New Restaurant in America list and named Iocovozzi the Rising Star of the Year.

More:See the 2023 James Beard Awards semifinalists in the South

The James Beard Foundation Awards finalists will be announced on March 29, and the winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Chicago on June 5.

In 2022, Asheville's Chai Pani won the award for Outstanding Restaurant, and Cúrate won for Outstanding Hospitality.

View the full list of the 2023 semifinalists at jamesbeard.org/awards.

This story is developing.

Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter/Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: James Beard Award semifinalists include Asheville chef, restaurant