Our local picks for the James Beard Award Semifinalists List

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

Photo by NOOGAtoday

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

Photo by NOOGAtoday

Best Chefs

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