Our local picks for the James Beard Award Semifinalists List

Because Chattanooga got snubbed on the official list.

Brianna Williams, Kristen Templeton

We said it yesterday, and we’ll say it again — Chattanooga got snubbed in the James Beard Award Semifinalists list.

So, we took matters into our own hands: here’s our very own list, showing all of the local spots and chefs ol’ James left out.

*There are a ton of amazing restaurants and chefs in the Chattanooga area. These are certainly not all of them. We’re just having some fun and highlighting a few great ones.

Outstanding Restaurateur

• Erik and Amanda Niel; Easy Bistro, Main Street Meats (and soon-to-be Little Coyote)

Outstanding Chef

• Kenyatta Ashford; Neutral Ground

Outstanding Restaurant

• Alleia; Chef Daniel Lindley

Emerging Chef

• Brian Scott; Anomaly at Oddstory Brewing Co.

Best New Restaurant

• Six18 Restaurant and Lounge; Chef Andi Allgood

Outstanding Bakery

• Niedlov’s Bakery and Café

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

• Kendra, Delaina, and Amy; Poppytons Patisserie

Outstanding Hospitality

• Wooden City Chattanooga; Jon Green

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

• Flora de Mel; mead

Outstanding Bar

• Flying Squirrel

Best Chefs

• Too many to count. 😅 Let us know your picks.