Johnny and Jimmy Tung, the brothers who pushed Central Florida’s restaurant scene into the nationwide highlight, are getting some nationwide consideration themselves.
Right this moment, the James Beard Basis introduced the semifinalists for its chef and restaurant classes and bestowed the pair with an Excellent Restaurateur nomination, a feat completed final yr by Jason and Sue Chin.
The Tungs, who constructed a burgeoning empire on the again of fast-casual regional chain Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi, have been instrumental in diversifying the town’s culinary panorama with every little thing from yakitori/kushiyaki joints to dochi donut outlets to high-end omakase ideas and standing sushi bars. The cooks they’ve nurtured, supported and backed through the years have earned loads of recognition and, within the case of Mark Berdin and Jennifer Banagale-Berdin from Kadence, Michael Collantes from Soseki and Sonny Nguyen from Domu/Tori Tori, Michelin stars and Bib Gourmands.
This yr, the Tungs will open a minimum of 4 new ideas — Camille and Sorekara in Baldwin Park; the Foreigner in Audubon Park; Bang Bang Noodle Co. by High Chef Season 3 winner Hung Huynh in Mills 50; and Kosen by former Masa chef Wei Chen in Tampa.
Incomes his second James Beard Award nomination for Greatest Chef: South, and his third nomination total, is Kabooki Sushi’s Henry Moso. Moso was nominated final yr for Greatest Chef: South and in 2020 for Rising Star Chef of the 12 months.
Making it onto the lengthy listing of semifinalists has been a daily incidence for Orlando and Central Florida cooks, however none have ever made it to the quick listing of finalists. However procedural adjustments that had been carried out final yr may change the fortunes of Orlando-area cooks.
So what’s subsequent?
Subcommittee members and judges of the Restaurant and Chef Awards voting physique — comprised of meals and beverage writers, critics, editors, e book authors, media producers, meals research students and culinary instructors — will anonymously go to the nominated eating places of their area and rating every semifinalist on quite a lot of standards. The semifinalists with the best common rating might be introduced as finalists on March 29.
Judges and subcommittee members will then dine on the finalist nominees, take part in committee-led discussions concerning their eating experiences, then vote for winners primarily based on quite a lot of standards. The highest scoring nominee per class is introduced because the winner. Click on right here for extra info on the voting course of.
Winners might be introduced at an awards ceremony in Chicago on June 5.
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