Reviewed by: Pat Byington
NEW: 2024 James Beard Award Semifinalists include 5 Alabama chefs + restaurants
This morning, January 24, the James Beard Foundation announced the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalists. Alabama made five appearances on the list, with Birmingham and the Gulf Coast area being the standouts. On Wednesday, April 3, nominees will be announced, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Keep reading to see which Alabama spots + chefs have the chance at the title.
Dothan, Fairhope + Mobile make the list
Arwen Rice, Executive Chef at Red or White in Mobile, is a semifinalist in the “Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)” category. Red or White is known for their top-notch wine bar, artisanal boards and hand-made wood-fired pizzas, this spot is a Mobile gem—and Rice is the culinary brains behind it.
The Hope Farm in Fairhope is a semifinalist for the “Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program” category. Dedicated to sustainability and growing community in the Fairhope area, this magical place includes The Barn, The Cellar and The Farm—all of which come together to create a farm-to-table-style culinary destination and incredible event venue.
Kelsey Barnard Clark, chef at KBC in Dothan, is a semifinalist in the “Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)” category. This Dothan native attended the Culinary Institute of America in New York, after which she worked at big-name restaurants in Manhattan before returning to Alabama to found her own restaurant.
Want to visit each of these Alabama standouts yourself? Here’s where you can find them.
The Hope Farm | Fairhope
- Location: 915 Nichols Ave, Fairhope, AL 36532
- Hours: Sunday 8AM-3PM, 4-9PM | Monday 7AM-3PM | Tuesday-Thursday 7AM-3PM, 5-10PM | Friday 7AM-3PM, 5-11PM | Saturday 4-11PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
Red or White | Mobile
- Location: 1104 Dauphin St, Mobile, AL 36604
- Hours: Monday 10:30AM-5:30PM | Tuesday-Thursday 10:30AM-8:30PM | Friday-Saturday 10:30AM-9:30PM | Closed Sunday
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
KBC | Dothan
- Location: 151 N Foster St, Dothan, AL 36303
- Hours: Monday 11AM-2:30PM | Tuesday-Friday 11AM-8:30PM | Saturday 10AM-2:30PM | Closed Sunday
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
Birmingham’s semifinalists
Known throughout Alabama for its vibrant culinary scene, Birmingham chefs made two appearances on this year’s James Beard Award Semifinalists list. For the full story, visit our sister brand Bham Now.
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