The Oscars of the culinary world, the James Beard Awards just announced the semi-finalists for its Chef & Restaurant awards. This year, there are three semi-finalists from Milwaukee.
In the category of Outstanding Restaurateur award, Paul Bartolotta of The Bartolotta Restaurants (Ristorante Bartolotta, Harbor House,
Lake Park Bistro, Bacchus and others) is among the semi-finalists. According to OnMilwaukee, this will be the fourth year in a row for Paul Bartolotta in this category.
In the Best Chef Midwest category, two Milwaukee chefs made the list. The Diplomat's Dane Baldwin, who recently purchased the building where his restaurant is located. Last year, Baldwin was a semi-finalist for the first time. Then Karen Bell of Bavette La Boucherie is the other Milwaukee chef. This will be Bell's fourth year in a row making the semi-finalist list.
Outside of Milwaukee, there were two other semi-finalists. Madison's chef Sean Pharr of Mint Mark is also a semi-finalist for Best Midwest Chef. And Racine's HOBNOB is made the list for Outstanding Hospitality. Also, Chicago's Mariya Russell, the first Black woman to earn a Michelin Star, is a semi-finalist for Best Great Lakes Chef
View the entire list on the James Beard Foundation's website.
The 30th annual James Beard Awards will take place at Lyric Opera of Chicago on Sunday, May 3.
