We have less than a month before the winners of the 2024 James Beard Awards are revealed, which means it’s a perfect time to get to know our local finalists — and experience their incredible cuisine.
This year, Portland has four nominees divided evenly between chefs and eateries. Read on to learn about them and get inspired for your next meal out.
🧑🍳 Beard’s culinary contributions
The “Oscars of the culinary world” are presented by the James Beard Foundation nonprofit whose namesake was born here in Portland. After spending his early adulthood trying to break into the theater and film industry, Beard found his place in the culinary world. He wrote the first of 20+ cookbooks in 1940 and carved a name for himself at the top of the game. The James Beard Foundation Awards were established in 1990, some 15 years after Beard’s death; the first awards were handed out the following year.
🏆 2024 finalists
Netflix was way ahead of the James Beard Foundation when it came to spotlighting Sarah Minnick.
Photo by @modcuisine
Sarah Minnick, Lovely’s Fifty Fifty | Nominated for Outstanding Chef
You may recognize the lone Portland chef nominated for national recognition — she appeared in Netflix’s “Chef’s Table: Pizza” series. Minnick is known for topping sourdough crusts with unexpected ingredients (think: flowers and eggs) and produce sourced directly from local farms.
Langbaan | Nominated for Outstanding Restaurant
This tiny Thai restaurant (it has just 24 seats and operates out of Phuket Cafe) serves five-course tasting menus “inspired by the warm and convivial atmosphere of Thai kitchens.”
JinJu Patisserie’s buttery, flaky, and oh-so-crackly croissants are @thekoreanmama approved.
Photo by @jinjupatisserie
JinJu Patisserie | Nominated for Outstanding Bakery
Brave the potential line outside when this bakery opens to have first pick from a slew of perfectly executed French desserts. Follow along on Instagram for special releases.
Gregory Gourdet, kann | Nominated for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)
Gourdet is no stranger to this spotlight: his Haitian eatery claimed the James Beard Award for “Best New Restaurant” last year. Snag a reservation when the clock strikes noon on the first of each month — or try Appointment Trader.
The winners will be announced on Monday, June 10.
