Two Maryland chefs and one Baltimore restaurant advanced Wednesday morning to the finals of the James Beard Awards — a national contest honoring excellence in the culinary industry.

Tony Conte of Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana in Darnestown and Harley Peet of Bas Rouge in Easton will have a chance at winning the foundation’s title of Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, while Clavel Mezcaleria will be considered for Outstanding Bar. The overall winners will be announced June 10 during an awards ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Clavel co-owner and chef Carlos Raba told The Banner he was overwhelmed by the honor and the responsibility of representing Charm City in Chicago. He described the upcoming trip as a honeymoon for all the people who made sacrifices for the business in the last nine years. Raba said the award is recognition for the restaurant’s service, both to their Remington neighborhood and the broader Baltimore area.

“The success is not only our success, but the city’s success,” he said. “We’re ready to win it.”

The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

Bas Rouge’s Peet said it was an honor to be recognized “amongst the four other chefs in this category who I know to be incredibly talented. This is a true testament to our team’s dedication and passion, and what we’ve built here. … We are excited for what’s to come.”

Each year, the recognition provided through the foundation’s awards boosts businesses across the country, according to a statement by Dawn Padmore, vice president of awards.

Read More

Five Maryland restaurants named semifinalists for James Beard Awards

The Dish: Where to eat on the Eastern Shore (and no, not just crabs)

The Dish: Rosie’s Delicatessen is a food oasis in rural Howard County

“Despite so many ongoing challenges, this list is a positive reminder of the exceptional talent and dynamism of our industry,” said Tanya Holland, chair of the James Beard Awards Committee, in a statement. “It gives me hope for the future of independent restaurants.”

For the second year in a row, Charleston did not advance to the final round in the Outstanding Hospitality category. The Harbor East restaurant has been nominated several times before, including multiple nods for its chef and co-owner, Cindy Wolf. Alma Cocina Latina’s former executive chef David Zamudio, who received his first semifinalist nomination for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic this year, also did not move on.

Since 1991, the James Beard Awards have celebrated the brightest culinary talents and most formidable restaurants in the industry. Last year, Baltimore produced three semifinalists — Ekiben, Foraged and Charleston — but none advanced to the final round.

The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors. Become one.

The only Baltimore chef to be honored with a James Beard Award was Spike Gjerde in 2015. He founded Woodberry Kitchen, a farm-to-table style restaurant with New American cuisine that has since downsized and taken on the name Woodberry Tavern.

Matti Gellman

matti.gellman@thebaltimorebanner.com

Matti Gellman

Matti Gellman is a Food Reporter for The Baltimore Banner.

More from Matti Gellman

Calm down, Baltimore: Ekiben reopens in Fells Point

Closing of Giant grocery store to make Edmondson Village a food desert

More From The Banner

Maryland hospitals took money from poor patients. Why haven’t they paid them back?

Joanna Meade reads aloud love letters from the 1920's in the sun room of her home on February 27, 2024. The letters were found inside of a wall during a renovation.

Secret in the walls: Hidden letters reveal love, lust, scandal in 1920s Baltimore society

Illustration shows black geometric fragments falling from the sky, partially obscuring the faint outline of Key Bridge central span. In the background a sunrise starts to illuminate the darkness.

Grieving my brother and the Key Bridge

Sheila Dixon, a ‘filthy’ street and residents who want politicians to put up or shut up