James Beard Foundation announced chef, restaurant finalists for 2023. How did Iowa's chef do?
The James Beard Foundation Awards, one of the nation's highest honors in the culinary industry, announced the finalists for Best Chef Midwest category Wednesday, leaving Iowa behind as chefs from South Dakota, Wisconsin and Nebraska advance.
Chef Samuel Charles of Rodina in Cedar Rapids was named the only semifinalist from Iowa earlier this year for the Best Chef Midwest category.
More:How Rodina's focus on Midwestern foods made this Iowa chef a James Beard semifinalist
The Cedar Rapids restaurant known for its Midwest comfort food opened in the historic Czech Village in 2019 by Charles and his wife and co-owner Phoebe. Charles spent time in restaurants in Chicago and Denver and was named Chef of the Year by the Iowa Restaurant Association in 2021. He described his food as simple, saying what’s done in Rodina can be done at diner’s homes in an interview with the Des Moines Register earlier this month.
The five finalists announced Wednesday are:
Sanaa Abourezk, Sanaa’s Gourmet Mediterranean, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Gregory León, Amilinda, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Francesco Mangano, Osteria Papavero, Madison, Wisconsin
Itaru Nagano and Andrew Kroeger, Fairchild, Madison, Wisconsin
David Utterback, Yoshitomo, Omaha, Nebraska
The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony in Chicago on June 5.
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Reach her at PBarraza@press-citizen.com or 319-519-9731. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: James Beard Awards Best Chef Midwest category finalists 2023
