COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today in New York, the James Beard Foundation announced the 2024 Restaurant and Chefs Awards semifinalists for the James Beard Awards. Once again, South Carolina has nominees on the list, and -- for the second year in a row -- Columbia is represented by three nominees for the best of the best in the food world.
“Having not one but three James Beard semifinalists for a second year in a row speaks to the strength of our region’s culinary talent and offerings. This prestigious recognition is expanding to new semifinalists as well as continuing appreciation for a previous nominee. We could not be prouder or more excited to have caught and kept the attention of the James Beard Foundation and we are optimistic that this is only the beginning of a long line of nominations and, hopefully, wins still to come,” said Experience Columbia SC President and CEO Bill Ellen.
Representing Columbia are:
- Lula Drake Wine Parlour in Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. This is Lula Drake's second nomination in two years. The wine bar opened at 1635 Main St. and was named after the woman who operated a business at that location in the early 1920s. Lula Drake specializes in unique wines, craft beers, and shareable plates of food.
- Kitwanda "Kiki" Cyrus and Tyrone Cyrus for Best Chef: Southeast. Kiki and Tyrone own Kiki's Chicken and Waffles locations at 7001 Parklane and 1260 Bower Parkway. Kiki's opened in 2012 behind a signature dish of four seasoned crispy chicken wings atop a Belgian waffle. Kiki Cyrus was a South Carolina Chef Ambassador in 2018.
- Robbie Robinson for Best Chef: Southeast. Robinson owns City Limits Barbeque in West Columbia. He started out with a food truck in 2016 and has gradually built his business, finally setting down roots at a brick-and-mortar location at 1119 Methodist Park Rd. Robinson blends the best of Texas brisket and South Carolina barbeque for weekend service.
Other South Carolina semifinalists include:
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Kimball Brienza and Stephen Palmer, O-Ku Sushi, Charleston
- Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water: Nikko Cagalanan, Kultura, Charleston
- Best Restaurant: Scoundrel, Greenville
- Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Tania Cienfuegos Harris, Topsoil Kitchen & Market, Travelers Rest; Remy Funfrock, La Pâtisserie, Charleston
- Outstanding Bar: Edmund's Oast, Charleston
- Best Chef: Southeast: in addition to the Cyruses and Robinson are Jacques Larson, The Obstinate Daughter, Sullivan’s Island, and James London, Chubby Fish, Charleston
The full list of nominees can be found at jamesbeard.org. Final nominees will be announced on April 3, and winners will be announced on June 10 during the awards ceremony in Chicago.
