ST. LOUIS — An acclaimed local chef once again didn't advance to the winner's circle in the James Beard Foundation Awards.
Rob Connoley, the owner and head chef of Bulrush, in April had been named a first-time finalist in the Best Chef: Midwest competition of the 2024 James Beard Foundation Awards, the top prize of the culinary world. But the winner this year, named Monday night at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, was Christina Nguyen of Hai Hai in Minneapolis.
The Midwest competition includes chefs from Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Connoley was previously a semifinalist in the Best Chef: Midwest category in both 2022 and 2023. A history lover, he serves locally foraged and sourced 19th century-Ozark cuisine at Bulrush, his restaurant at 3307 Washington Ave. in Midtown.
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