COLUMBIA, S.C. — Finalists have been named for the 2023 James Beard Awards and, in a first for the city, Columbia is home to the only two nominees from South Carolina -- and is the only city in the Southeast Region (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, and WV) with two nominees.
Congratulations to Outstanding Hospitality nominee Lula Drake Wine Parlour, at 1635 Main St., and Outstanding Restaurateur nominees Aaron Hoskins, Sarah Simmons and Elie Yigo at CITY GRIT Hospitality -- a group including smallSUGAR, 709 Gervais St.; Il Focolare pizzeria, 2150 Sumter St., CITY GRIT Market, 707 Gervais St.; CITY GRIT Catering and Birds & Bubbles.
Both categories are national rather than regional, and each category contains five nominees. In addition to Columbia, the Outstanding Restaurateur category features nominees from Cleveland, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Philadelphia; the Outstanding Hospitality category is represented by establishments located in Pullman, WA; Birmingham, AL; Monson, ME; and Chicago.
“The Columbia region continues to expand its culinary talent and experiences. This truth could not be any more reinforced than by this latest recognition by the prestigious James Beard Foundation,” says Bill Ellen, president and CEO of Experience Columbia SC. “We’re extremely proud to be a standout within the state of South Carolina and the broader Southeast region. This achievement is evidence of the incredible talent who call Columbia home. We wish both of our finalists the best and want them to know how proud we are of them.”
The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony will be held June 5 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. A complete list of finalists can be found here.
