Alabama Life & Culture
Two Alabama restaurants, one chef among semifinalists for 2023 James Beard Awards
Pizza Grace, which is located in the Mercantile on Morris development on Morris Avenue and First Avenue North in downtown Birmingham, is a 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist for the best new restaurant in America.(Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)
The semifinalists from Alabama are:
• Bottega, Birmingham, for outstanding hospitality.
• Timothy Hontzas, Johnny’s Restaurant, Homewood, for best chef in the Sou Hontzas, a semifinalist for the sixth year, also advanced as a finalist for best chef in the South last year, along with eventual winner Adam Evans of Automatic Seafood and Oysters.
Most categories include 20 semifinalists, with 30 semifinalists for best new restaurant. The field will be narrowed to five finalists on March 29.
- Adam Evans, Automatic Seafood and Oysters, Birmingham, best chef in the South, 2022.
- Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham, most outstanding restaurant, 2018.
- Dolester Miles, Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham, most outstanding pastry chef, 2018.
- Chris Hastings, Hot and Hot Fish Club, Birmingham, best chef in the South, 2012.
- The Bright Star, Bessemer, America’s Classic winner, 2010.
- Frank Stitt, Highlands Bar and Grill, best chef in the Southeast, 2001.
For the complete list of this year’s restaurant and chef semifinalists, go here.