The moment chefs and Houston food lovers have been waiting for is here: the announcement of who made it as a James Beard Award finalist. Often referred to as the “Oscars of food,” the awards scope out the culinary community in the US to find the best of the best.

Out of the 11 Houston restaurants and chefs who were semifinalists, only one of them is advancing: Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó in the Best Chef: Texas category. No Houston folks made it in the national categories.

Tatemó gained popularity during the pandemic for its heirloom corn tortillas and masa Chavez makes from scratch. He started selling products via Instagram DMs, then upgraded to a little booth at the Urban Harvest Farmers Market. According to Food & Wine, there was a point where he and his girlfriend, Megan Maul, were making 2,400 tortillas out of their apartment. Restaurants caught on and started buying from the couple as well, prompting Chavez to move into a ghost kitchen with more equipment.

Now, Tatemó is a fine-dining, tasting-menu restaurant with 20 seats in a small strip in Spring Branch. The focus is still on Mexican heirloom corn, and Chavez gets creative in showing its versatility. Per the restaurant’s sample menu, one might be treated to ceviche, a gordita, a quesadilla, an enmolada, a tamal de calabaza, a taco de camote, a postre de temporado, and buñuelos.

Tatemó was also a James Beard finalist in 2023 for Best New Restaurant.

The James Beard Awards began more than 30 years ago and have since flourished into one of the most anticipated announcements of the year. Chefs recognized add to a long list that dates to the inaugural awards in 1991. For those who may not know: These awards are named after James Beard, known as America’s first “foodie.” To honor his successful career, the James Beard Foundation was established in 1987, a year after his death, to give recognition to deserving chefs.

In previous years, Houston chefs have made a name for themselves and the city with these awards. In 2023, chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter, owner of Thai restaurant Street to Kitchen in Second Ward, took home the Best Chef: Texas award, making her the first Houston-based chef to win it since Texas was separated into its own category. Previous Houston winners for Best Chef: Southwest—what Texas fell under before that change—include Hugo Ortega and Chris Shepherd, both now household names in Houston. In 2022, Alba Huerta’s cocktail bar Julep earned the Outstanding Bar Program—Houston’s first award in a national category.

In January, several local chefs were announced as 2024 James Beard Award semifinalists. Chavez of Tatemó, of course, as well as Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast, Mark Clayton of Squable, and Victoria Elizondo of Cochinita & Co became semifinalists for Best Chef: Texas. There were seven Houston semifinalists in the national categories, including Jūn for Best New Restaurant and Nancy’s Hustle for Outstanding Restaurant.

While Houston fell short in having any nominees in national categories, Texas as a whole had a decent showing with six finalists in Dallas, San Antonio, Marfa, Lockhart, and Browsnville. The other chefs who advanced in the regional Best Chef: Texas category hail from San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, and Mission. Check out the full list below.

The winners of the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards will be announced at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on June 10. But for now, let’s celebrate the Texas chefs and restaurants who made it this far.

Editor’s note: Some SagaCity Media staff members serve on the James Beard Awards committee.

The Lone Houston 2024 James Beard Award Finalist

Best Chef: Texas: Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó