Roll out the red carpet, food lovers (and watch the crumbs). Yesterday, the finalists were announced for the 2022 James Beard Awards — otherwise known as the “Oscars” of the culinary world — and Portland stars are shining bright.
You’ll find two local chefs + one restaurateur up for some of the profession’s most prestigious honors, which the James Beard Foundation revamped after a two-year hiatus and internal audit. It’s an honor to be nominated since getting on this shortlist is a game-changer for any chef or restaurant, no matter how long they’ve been around.
Mark your calendars for Mon., June 13, when the winners will be announced at a ceremony in Chicago. As we celebrate all the kitchen rock stars, here’s a breakdown of all you need to know for local flavor.
2022 finalists 🏆
🍴 Thomas Pisha-Duffly, Oma’s Hideaway | Nominated for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific | The co-owner + chef of Portland’s popular Indonesian restaurant Gado Gado helped transform Oma’s Hideaway from a takeout pop-up to a full-fledged restaurant showcasing Malaysian Chinese barbeque within an eclectic space that marches to the beat of its own drum.
🍴 Carlo Lamagna, Magna Kusina | Nominated for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific | This is Carlo’s very first nomination, but he’s no stranger to the limelight — he was named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs 2021 + his restaurant, Magna Kusina, was crowned Portland’s 2021 Restaurant of the Year by The Oregonian. The Philippines-born chef opened his restaurant at 2525 SE Clinton St. in 2019 — widening the gateway to Filipino food in the Rose City.
🍴 Akkapong “Earl” Ninsom, Langbaan, Hat Yai, Eem | Nominated for Outstanding Restaurateur | The Bangkok-born Portlander has finally nabbed his first nomination in this category after making the semifinalist list three years in a row starting in 2018. Portland Monthly named Earl its Restaurateur of the Year in 2019 after launching an impressive Rolodex of critically acclaimed eateries within a relatively short period of time.
Past winners to visit 🍽️
Ox Restaurant, 2225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | 5-10 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday | Greg Denton + Gabrielle Quiñónez Denton are the married duo and 2017 Best Chef Northwest winners behind Portland’s celebrated Argentine steakhouse. Carnivores will love the bone marrow clam chowder + beef tongue a la vinagreta, and the hazelnut torte is also not to be missed.
Le Pigeon, 738 E. Burnside St. | 5-10 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday | Gabriel Rucker was the Best Chef Northwest winner in 2013 for his enterprising interpretation of French cuisine at this small, relaxed restaurant on Portland’s East Side. Diners can expect five-course tasting menus that could hold their own in Paris.
A rack of lamb with glazed carrots at Le Pigeon. | Photo by @techbrocooks
Who’s got next? 🔮
Fancy medallions are great, but we want to hear about your tastes. Are there restaurants or local chefs you think deserve some more love? Who might we see repping Portland at the James Beards in the future? Send us an email, and let us know about the unrecognized award-worthy meals.
