Erwan Heussaff + 3 Filipino Chefs Are Nominated for the 2023 James Beard Awards

(SPOT.ph) Watch a lot of Western food shows or read food books and essays from that part of the world? You'd likely be familiar with the James Beard Foundation Awards, colloquially dubbed the James Beard Awards. It's called the "Oscars of the food world" by some, which is to say it's no small feat to be included in their roster. Needless to say, it's well worth noting that a number of Filipino food figures have been nominated to be part of the 2023 edition!

Also read: Metiz + Toyo Eatery Hailed Among Asia's 50 Best Restaurants of 2023

Check out these Filipinos that made it to the list of finalists for the James Beard Awards 2023:

The James Beard Awards 2023 nominee list includes four Filipino and Filipino-American figures with amazing contributions to the food world. For starters, there's the nominees of the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards; listed under the Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific category is Chef Aaron Verzosa of Seattle's Archipelago, known for their progressive Filipino-American fare—think Sinigang with Troll King salmon and cranberry rhubarb, and the "Maria Orosa" with 29-day aged ribeye and an "Orosa sauce" (read: ketchup using sweet, starchy produce in season) as an ode to its namesake who invented banana ketchup.

Under the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category is also Chef Vince Bugtong of San Francisco's ABACÁ, best known for their contemporary Filipino-Californian fare like the Pinakbet Crudite and Wagyu Tartare Dinakdakan. Listed here, too,  is Chef Margarita Manzke, known for her amazing pastry game (think: avocado-calamansi tarts or passionfruit coconut cakes, anyone?) at L.A.'s République—yup, they're the sibling resto of Wildflour in Manila!

There's also the nominees for the James Beard Foundation Media Awards, under which is the Social Media Account category that shines the spotlight on "excellence in a single food-related post, or compilation of up to three posts, that clearly represents the intention of the Facebook page, Twitter account, TikTok account, Instagram feed, or other social media [formats]." Alongside the likes of international social-media figures Nom Life and Kalamata's Kitchen Staff is French-Filipino content creator Erwan Heussaff and his Instagram account, @erwan.

The annual awards—which has been around since 1990—is all about recognizing "exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system." They likewise strive to push for "racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive." We're keeping or fingers crossed for the said chefs and content creators, and for Filipino cuisine as a whole!

For more information, check out the James Beard Foundation's website.

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