ST. LOUIS — St. Louis is well represented in this year's James Beard Award nominations.
From chefs to restaurants to restaurateurs, the St. Louis area has seven nominations for the 2024 awards.
Best new restaurant
Two of the 30 restaurants nominated for the best new restaurant in the country are right here in St. Louis. Mainlander in the Central West End and Sado on The Hill both made the list.
Mainlander describes itself as a Modern American restaurant with no rules. The reservation-only restaurant has a menu that changes with the seasons and ingredient availability.
Sado is a sushi-focused second restaurant concept from James Beard-recognized chef Nick Bognar.
The requirements are as follows: "A restaurant opened between October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine, seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come, and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community."
Best Chef: Midwest
- Rob Connoley, Bulrush — 3307 Washington Ave.
- Loryn Nalic, Balkan Treat Box — 8103 Big Bend Blvd.
- Philip Day, Root Food + Wine — 5525 Walnut St
Rob Connoley snagged a nomination for best chef in the Midwest region for the second year in a row. Connoley is the chef-owner of Bulrush, which serves modern "Ozark cuisine." The restaurant opened its doors in 2019 and is located on Washington Avenue in Midtown.
Loryn Nalic is also appearing on the list for the second time. She was nominated in the same category in 2020. Her restaurant, Balkan Treat Box, features cuisines of the Balkan Peninsula with food inspired by Bosnia and Turkey. They recently expanded, launching a counter-service café and coffee shop earlier this month.
Philip Day made his first appearance on the list this year, but it wouldn't be the first award he has won. He and his "out-of-the-way" restaurant, Root Food + Wine, won Feast Magazine's Readers' Choice Chef of the Year award in 2023.
The best chef category is described as: "Chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions, while contributing positively to their broader community."
Outstanding Bakery
Chef and owner Simone Faure's French-inspired boutique pastry shop La Pâtisserie Chouquette is nominated for outstanding bakery. From Harry Potter-themed macaroons and Mardi Gras treats like King Cakes, to classics like chocolate chip cookies and croissants, Chouquette is something for everyone.
Nominees were selected based on the following qualifications: "A baker of breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations while contributing positively to its broader community."
Outstanding Restaurateur
- Michael Gallina, Tara Gallina and Aaron Martinez, Take Root Hospitality
The team behind restaurants Taqueria Morita, Vicia, Winslow's Table and more were nominated for their culinary works.
The award celebrates restaurateurs for the following: "A restaurateur who uses their establishment(s) as a vehicle for building community, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship and integrity in restaurant operations, and is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture while contributing positively to their broader community."
