Here Are the 2020 James Beard Awards Restaurant and Chef Finalists in the Carolinas

Today, the James Beard Foundation announced its Restaurant and Chef Awards finalists for 2020. The James Beard Awards gala, the so-called “Oscars of the culinary world,” was originally planned for tonight at Lyric Opera of Chicago. But because of COVID-19, the James Beard Foundation announced finalists in a Twitter livestream at 4 p.m.

Here are the finalists for North and South Carolina:

Outstanding Restaurant

• FIG, Charleston, SC

Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Producer

• Scott Blackwell and Ann Marshall, High Wire Distilling Co., Charleston, SC

Rising Star Chef of the Year

• Ashleigh Shanti, Benne on Eagle, Asheville, NC

Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)

• Katie Button, Cúrate, Asheville, NC
• Cheetie Kumar, Garland, Raleigh, NC

Design for Alternative Eating and Drinking Places

• Citrus Club, Charleston, SC

And Congrats to the Leadership Awards Honoree

• Mark and Kerry Marhefka, Abundant Seafood, Charleston, SC