See the NYC restaurants and chefs named as James Beard Award semifinalists

The list of 420 chefs and eateries across the country nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s annual awards is finally out.

The awards, which are sometimes called the “foodie Oscars” and awarded by the New York City-based James Beard Foundation, aim to honor innovation, excellence and a “culture where all can thrive” in American restaurants.

The nominees for “Best New Restaurant” included hotspots like Tatiana, an Afro-Caribbean restaurant at Lincoln Center; Superiority Burger in Alphabet City; and Foxface Natural in the East Village.

Although Foxface Natural has recently received accolades from the New York Times and the New Yorker, the restaurant’s co-owner Ori Kushnir says receiving a nod from the James Beard Foundation feels different.

“James Beard, especially after all the changes they’ve made, I think it’s a very well thought-out election process,” Kushnir said, referring to the foundation’s post-pandemic changes, which include a stipulation that anyone nominating a potential winner must state how the candidate fits with their values around “a more equitable, sustainable, and healthy work culture.”

Foxface Natural is known for its unusual sourcing; the restaurant buys its proteins directly from hunters and fishermen, avoiding middlemen and the use of products stored in warehouses.

“What we’re trying to do overall is highlight ingredients that are special both in quality and in how they’re handled,” Kushnir said.

Several of 2023’s nominees appeared again, including Mel the Bakery, which was nominated for “Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker” in 2023 and for “Outstanding Bakery” this year.

Chefs Nasim Alikhani of Sofreh, Mary Attea of the Musket Room, and Calvin Eng of Bonnie’s were among the talents who received…