AL.com: Two Alabama restaurants, one chef among semifinalists for 2023 James Beard Awards

Pizza Grace, which is located in the Mercantile on Morris development on Morris Avenue and First Avenue North in downtown Birmingham, is a 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist for the best new restaurant in America.(Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)

Two Alabama restaurants and one chef have made the list of semifinalists for the 2023 James Beard Awards.

The James Beard Foundation announced its restaurant and chef semifinalists this morning.

The semifinalists from Alabama are:

• Pizza Grace, Birmingham, for best new restaurant.

• Bottega, Birmingham, for outstanding hospitality.
• Timothy Hontzas, Johnny’s Restaurant, Homewood, for best chef in the Sou Hontzas, a semifinalist for the sixth year, also advanced as a finalist for best chef in the South last year, along with eventual winner Adam Evans of Automatic Seafood and Oysters.

Most categories include 20 semifinalists, with 30 semifinalists for best new restaurant. The field will be narrowed to five finalists on March 29.

The overall winners will be announced at the 2023 James Beard Foundation Awards ceremony on June 5 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Previous James Beard Award winners from Alabama include:

Adam Evans, Automatic Seafood and Oysters, Birmingham, best chef in the South, 2022.
Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham, most outstanding restaurant, 2018.
Dolester Miles, Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham, most outstanding pastry chef, 2018.
Chris Hastings, Hot and Hot Fish Club, Birmingham, best chef in the South, 2012.
The Bright Star, Bessemer, America’s Classic winner, 2010.
Frank Stitt, Highlands Bar and Grill, best chef in the Southeast, 2001.

For the complete list of this year’s restaurant and chef semifinalists, go here.

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AL.com: Two Alabama restaurants, one chef among semifinalists for 2023 James Beard Awards

Alabama Life & Culture