Here Are the 2022 James Beard Awards Restaurant and Chef Finalists for the Carolinas

Today, the James Beard Foundation announced its slate of finalists for its 2022 awards. This short list of nominees honors the year’s outstanding restaurants and chefs — the first such list since 2020.

The semifinalist rolled out last month with several new nominees from lesser-recognized towns in North Carolina, like Greensboro and Winston-Salem.

The Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony will take place in Chicago on June 13. Here are the finalist across the Carolinas and the Lowcountry:

Outstanding Chef

• Mashama Bailey, The Grey, Savannah, GA

Outstanding Restaurant

• Butcher & Bee, Charleston, SC
• Chai Pani, Asheville, NC

Emerging Chef

• Cleophus Hethington, Benne on Eagle, Asheville, NC

Outstanding Hospitality

• Cúrate, Asheville, NC

Outstanding Bar Program

• Alley Twenty Six, Durham, NC

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

• Katie Button, Cúrate, Asheville, NC
• Greg Collier, Leah & Louise, Charlotte, NC
• Cheetie Kumar, Garland, Raleigh, NC
• Ricky Moore, Saltbox Seafood Joint, Durham, NC

Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards.