FEATURED FOOD

Hawai’i Island Once Again Represented Among James Beard Award Semifinalists

By Keisha Colon / January 25, 2023

The 2023 semifinalists of the James Beard Foundation (JBF) Awards have been announced, and Hawaiʻi is really showing up on this year’s list. The JBF Award celebrates the culinary artists behind America’s distinct food culture, as well as restaurants and chefs committed to community, equity, and sustainability. Hawaiʻi Island residents will recognize some past nominees, including Moon & Turtle’s Mark Pomaski and Naʻau’s Brian Hirata.

Brian Hirata, Naʻau head chef, has once again been nominated for the Best Chef award in the Northwest and Pacific region, following his 2022 nomination. His pop-up restaurant, Naʻau, is located in various locations around the Island. A pertinent part of Naʻau’s mission is to preserve Hawaiʻi’s food culture and share an authentic cultural experience with its guests. Hirata utilizes often overlooked foods that are local to the Islands. View their pop-up schedule and learn more here.

From Na’au Hilo’s Facebook page: `Opihi • Ogo Finadene — There are people who were born and raised in Hawai`i who have never had `opihi or ogo before. If they were never exposed to these ingredients, chances are their kids will have no knowledge of these ingredients, and neither will their kids’ kids, and so on.

That is how food cultures become extinct.

That is why we do what we do at Na`au . . .

Other 2023 nominees from all across Hawaiʻi include:

  • Best New Restaurant: Nami Kaze (Honolulu)
  • Outstanding Bakery: Breadshop (Honolulu)
  • Outstanding Bakery: Fujiya Hawai‘i (Honolulu)
  • Outstanding Baker or Pastry Chef: Michelle Karr-Ueoka, MW Restaurant (Honolulu)
  • Outstanding Bar: Bar Leather Apron (Honolulu)
  • Outstanding Chef: Andrew Le, The Pig and the Lady (Honolulu)
  • Northwest & Pacific Best Chef: Keaka Lee, Kapa Hale (Honolulu)
  • Northwest & Pacific Best Chef: Sheldon Simeon, Tiffany’s (Wailuku)
  • Northwest & Pacific Best Chef: Robert Urquidi, Ethel’s Grill (Honolulu)
  • Northwest & Pacific Best Chef: Lee Anne Wong, Papaʻaina (Lahaina)

Hawaiʻi has continuously been represented in the JBF Awards for many years. In 2022, the JBF Awards’ Northwest and Pacific Best Chef category was championed by Robynne Maiʻi, bringing Hawaiʻi’s restaurant scene into the national spotlight. Maiʻi was the first winner from Hawaiʻi since 2003, and was also the first Native Hawaiian woman to receive the award.

Stay tuned for the 2023 winners to be announced on June 5.

Big Island Life wishes the best of luck to all of our Hawaiʻi semifinalists in the 2023 competition!

Featured photo via Na’au Hilo Facebook page.

About Post Author

Keisha Colon

Keisha Colon is a hapa writer based in Kona. She is born and raised on Hawaiʻi Island, with professional experience in sales and hospitality, and a deep love for history, culture, and travel. When she isn’t writing or working, she spends her free time diving, horseback riding, hanging out with friends and ‘ohana, or curled up with her cat.

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