James Beard Awards semifinalist list just dropped, including a Charlotte nomination
Charlotte is celebrating yet another honor for its food and beverage professionals — a James Beard Award nomination for Best Chef: Southeast for Daryl Cooper and Oscar Johnson of Jimmy Pearls.
In recent years, Charlotte chefs have gotten plenty of attention from the James Beard Awards, but no one has claimed the prize. Gregory Collier, Sam Hart, Joe Kindred, Bruce Moffett and Paul Verica have been among those recognized — often multiple times.
William Dissen, who built Haymaker in Charlotte and recently sold it to Chris Coleman’s Built on Hospitality restaurant group, was also among the nominees. His Asheville restaurant, The Market Place, is a semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurant category.
Finalists for the awards will be announced on Wednesday, April 3, and winners will be announced Monday, June 10 at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony in Chicago.
About Jimmy Pearls
Foodies in the know in Charlotte are familiar with the work of Cooper and Johnson, who have served them Virginia-style seafood in food trucks and at the Market at 7th Street. And you’ve likely read their story in The Skillet: How Black Cuisine Became America’s Supper.
But you’ll have to stop in soon to catch them there. Sunday was slated to be Jimmy Pearls’ last day at the Market at 7th Street, as the duo prepares to work toward opening a brick and mortar location this year. At lunchtime when we caught up with Cooper, he was still gearing up for the big move. But just a few hours later, Cooper and Johnson told CharlotteFive that they had extended their lease by a month.
Every Charlotte area chef, restaurant ever nominated for a James Beard Award
The move is still on, however.
“In the meantime we will have quite a few special events, places where you can find us shucking oysters, and serving up some delicious, future menu items,” a Jimmy Pearls Instagram post said.
They’re making moves in the culinary world, too. You’ll also be able to see the newly minted James Beard Award nominees at the 2024 Charleston Wine + Food Festival in March.
The Best Chef: Southeast category covers Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. The semifinalists are:
Pete Amadhanirundr, Puma Yu’s, Athens, GA
Arnaldo Castillo, Tio Lucho’s, Atlanta, GA
Daryl Cooper and Oscar Johnson, Jimmy Pearls, Charlotte, NC
Erika Council, Bomb Biscuits, Atlanta, GA
Kitwanda “Kiki” Cyrus and Tyrone Cyrus, Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles, Columbia, SC
Jamie Davis, The Hackney, Washington, NC
Jacques Larson, The Obstinate Daughter, Sullivan’s Island, SC
Other North Carolina semifinalist nominations include:
Outstanding Chef: Dean Neff, Seabird, Wilmington, NC
Outstanding Restaurant: The Market Place, Asheville, NC
Outstanding Restaurant: The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge Inn, Blowing Rock, NC
Best new restaurant: Ajja, Raleigh, NC
Outstanding Bakery: Bobby Boy Bakeshop, Winston-Salem, NC
Outstanding Hospitality: Crawford and Son, Raleigh, NC
Outstanding Bar: Bittersweet, Raleigh, NC
Best Chef: Southeast: Jamie Davis, The Hackney, Washington, NC
Best Chef: Southeast: Jason Sellers, Plant, Asheville, NC
Best Chef: Southeast: Kanlaya “Gun” Supachana, Dalaya Thai Cuisine, Sylva, NC
Best Chef: Southeast: Preeti Waas, Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, Raleigh, NC
[LEARN MORE: Find out more details about the Raleigh restaurants that were nominated.]
Jimmy Pearls
Location: 224 E 7th St, Charlotte, NC 28202 (until Jan. 30)
Cuisine: Virginia-inspired seafood, soul food
Instagram: @jimmypearlsclt
