(Denver, Colorado) The James Beard Awards, which have been called the Oscars of the food world, recognize and celebrate culinary excellence in the United States.
The coveted awards, named after the legendary American chef, cookbook author, and TV personality, have been presented annually by the James Beard Foundation since 1991. They celebrate the United States' diverse and dynamic food culture, recognizing top culinary talent across various categories, such as chefs, bakers, pastry chefs, and outstanding restaurants.
On March 29th, the James Beard Foundation announced the 2023 Restaurant and Chef Award finalists and a talented Denver culinary artist is one of five contenders for the "Best Chef: Mountain" region. The region includes Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming.
The finalist is Chef Michael Diaz de Leon of BRUTØ.
To be selected as a finalist, each chef's work is reviewed and evaluated by a panel of judges who are experts in the field. The judging criteria include the chef's culinary vision, the quality of the food and dining experience, and the chef's contributions to the industry and community.
The James Beard Awards are a rigorous and competitive process, and being named as a finalist is a huge accomplishment. The awards are regarded as a symbol of excellence and are widely considered one of the most prestigious honors a chef can receive.
The other finalists in the "Best Chef: Mountain" category are:
- Salvador Alamilla - Caldwell, ID
- Suchada Johnson - Teton Village, WY
- Kris Komori - Boise, ID
- Ali Sabbah - Salt Lake City, UT
The winners will be announced at a star-studded awards ceremony in Chicago on June 5th, 2023.
Congratulations and best of luck to Chef Diaz de Leon!
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