NC chefs earn James Beard nominations, but the Triangle is shut out
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- James Beard finalists include Asheville restaurateurs Meherwan and Molly Irani.
- Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm nominated for Best Chef: Southeast.
- Triangle went without any finalist nominations for the second consecutive year.
There won’t be a James Beard winner from the Triangle this year.
North Carolina nabbed two James Beard finalist honors on Tuesday, but chefs and restaurants in the Triangle were shut out for the second straight year.
The James Beard Foundation announced the nominees Tuesday for the annual chef and restaurant awards, narrowing down the longlist of semifinalists for the top honors in the food world.
North Carolina landed two nominations.
The owners of Asheville’s Chai Pani group, Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani, are finalists for Outstanding Restaurateurs, a national award. The restaurant previously won the award for Outstanding Restaurant in 2022.
Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm in the Western North Carolina town of Leicester is up for Best Chef: Southeast. The regional award considers chefs from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Earlier this year, North Carolina chefs and restaurants earned eight semifinalist honors, including three from the Triangle. Those included Cheetie Kumar of Ajja, Steven Devereaux Greene of Herons and the Raleigh restaurant Peregrine, up for Best New Restaurant in the Country.
The award winners will be announced June 15 at a gala in Chicago.
