Five Oklahoma chefs make James Beard Foundation semifinalist list for Best Chef: Southwest
The James Beard Foundation Awards long list was released Wednesday, and once again, Oklahoma finds five of its chefs among the semifinalists for Best Chef: Southwest.
Returning to the list for the third time is chef owner, Jeff Chanchaleune of Ma Der Lao Kitchen in Oklahoma City. Chanchaleune made the list in 2023 for Ma Der and in 2020 for his work at his former Gun Izakaya.
Chanchaleune, who made it to the finalist stage of last year‘s foundation awards is joined by first time semi-finalists from Tulsa, Broken Arrow and Idabel.
“I’m really excited to be part of the long list again. Just hoping I advance as a nominee like last year, which was one step further than my nod in 2020,” Chanchaleune said. “If it trends the way it has been, the next step is getting hands on that hardware. Praying and crossing my fingers everything falls into place. It’ll be a huge win for OKC and the Lao community across the nation.”
Tabb Singleton of Phat Tabb’s barbecue in Idabel is also among the Oklahoma chefs in consideration for the award.
More: 'Back to my roots': James Beard finalist Chef Jeff Chanchaleune keys into Laotian heritage
"Really have no words to express how excited we are," Singleton said. "Very very much a cry baby at the moment."
Jacque Sigfried, chef-owner of Broken Arrow restaurant NĀTV, and member of the Shawnee nation, joins the list as well. NĀTV was named a best new restaurant by Southern living magazine in 2023 and was also featured in the Hulu docuseries "Searching For Soul Food."
More: This Oklahoma restaurant will be featured on new Hulu show all about soul food
Rounding out Oklahoma’s semifinalists are two Tulsa-based chefs: Jordan Hawley and Alexandre Figueira.
Figueira is of Doctor Kustom, a Brazilian restaurant at Tulsa's Mother Road Market, 1124 S Lewis Ave.
Doctor Kustom posted about making the list on social media saying, "There are not enough words to express our joy for the recognition and to see our name shine among so many competent people."
Figueira is joined by fellow Tulsa chef Hawley of Italian spot, il seme, 15 W 5 Street. The restaurant is the third concept of owners Linda Ford and Lisa Becklund, who herself was a 2020 and 2023 Best Chef: Southwest semifinalist for Living Kitchen Farm & Dairy and FarmBar, respectively.
The James Beard Foundation is expected to announce finalists for awards April 3 with the awards ceremony set for June 10 in Chicago.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Five James Beard Award semifinialists for best chef are from Oklahoma
