One of the most iconic names in culinary excellence has tapped another iconic name in the Lafayette, Louisiana food scene as a nominee for one of the culinary industry's most highly acclaimed awards. In the world of cooking, there are two measuring sticks for food that is prepared and served well. There are the Michelin Stars and the James Beard Foundation Award. Those would be the Oscars and Emmys of the food service scene.

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To earn a Michelin Star a restaurant must have outstanding food, outstanding service, and an ambiance beyond reproach. The stars are considered by many to be the "hallmark" of a fine dining experience.

If you can wrap your head around this concept the Michelin Stars are for the entire restaurant, think of it as a "team award". The James Beard Foundation Awards are geared more toward individuals and individual talents in every aspect of food service. The James Beard Foundation awards prizes to hospitality professionals, bartenders, mixologists, chefs, and other specialty jobs within the culinary world.

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The James Beard Foundation just recently released the list of 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalists. I am pleased to say that Louisiana is very well represented in the nominees. Among Louisiana restaurants and restauranteurs honored with a semifinal James Beard Excellence nomination is Mason Hereford who operates Turkey & the Wolf, Molly's Rise & Shine, Hungry Eyes, and other eateries in New Orleans. Mason is nominated for Outstanding Restauranteur.

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GW Fins, another New Orleans eatery earned a nomination for Oustanding Restaurant and Kaitlin Guerin of Lagniappe Bakehouse, also in the Big Easy earned a nomination for Emerging Chef. Porgy's Seafood Market in New Orleans was nominated in the Best New Restaurant category. And Compere Lapin of New Orleans earned a nod for Oustanding Hospitality.

In the Best Chef South Region, there were five Louisiana chefs nominated. Chefs Milissa Araujo of Alma Cafe, Ana Castro of Acamaya, Nicole Cabrera Mills of Peche Seafood Grill, Arvinder Vilkhu, and Ashwin Vilkhu earned a nomination for Saffron Nola. All of those eateries are in New Orleans.

The lone Louisiana Chef not from the New Orleans area hails from the heart of Acadiana. Perhaps you're familiar with the fine fair prepared at Laura's II in Lafayette? I know I am and if you're not you need to get familiar with the ambiance and the food that is prepared by James Beard Excellence nominee Madonna Broussard.

A lot of folks in the Lafayette area love Laura's II for their stuffed turkey wings, fried pork chops, fried catfish, and some of the best chicken you will ever taste. Some have called Laura's II the best Creole experience in Lafayette's extensive food scene. 

The final winners will be announced on April 2nd and all winners will be celebrated at an awards ceremony in Chicago on June 16th. Congratulations to all the nominees.

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