Chicago’s 2017 James Beard Award Semifinalists Highlighted by Topolobampo, Boka Group

‘Tis the season for James Beard Awards news, and today the foundation reveals its list of semifinalists for the 2017 awards. Chicago representation is highlighted by Rick Bayless’ long-acclaimed Michelin-starred Topolobampo, the Boka Restaurant Group, and a trio of best new restaurant semifinalists among 31 total nominees from the Windy City.

Topolobampo is nominated for the top award, outstanding restaurant, after years of being a finalist for outstanding service. The Boka guys (Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz) are again nominated for outstanding restaurateur after being finalists last year — and their flagship restaurant is a semifinalist for outstanding pastry chef (Meg Galus), outstanding service, and best chef: Great Lakes (Lee Wolen). Other highlights include a trio of best new restaurant semifinalists (Oriole, Roister, Smyth), Tony Mantuano and Carrie Nahabedian again becoming semifinalists for outstanding chef, and Lost Lake being nominated for outstanding bar program.

Check out the full list of local semifinalists below and head over to Eater National for the list from around the country. Finalists will be announced on March 15 and the awards will head to the Lyric Opera House on May 1, once again right here in Sweet Home Chicago.

Best New Restaurant

Oriole

Roister

Smyth

Outstanding Baker

Greg Wade, Publican Quality Bread

Outstanding Bar Program

Lost Lake

Outstanding Chef

Tony Mantuano, Spiaggia

Carrie Nahabedian, Naha

Outstanding Pastry Chef

Aya Fukai, Maple & Ash

Meg Galus, Boka

Outstanding Restaurant

Topolobampo

Outstanding Restaurateur

Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz, Boka Restaurant Group

Outstanding Service

Boka

North Pond

Outstanding Wine Program

Sepia

Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional

Charles Joly, Crafthouse Cocktails

Rising Star Chef of the Year

David Park, Hanbun, Westmont

Jenner Tomaska, Next

Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)

Jake Bickelhaupt, 42 Grams

Abraham Conlon, Fat Rice

Paul Fehribach, Big Jones

Phillip Foss, EL Ideas

Sarah Grueneberg, Monteverde

Gene Kato, Sumi Robata Bar

Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark, Parachute

Edward Kim, Ruxbin

Ryan McCaskey, Acadia

Iliana Regan, Elizabeth

Noah Sandoval, Oriole

Lee Wolen, Boka

Erling Wu-Bower, Nico Osteria