Birmingham's Culinary Rise: 5 James Beard Semifinalists

0:00It's March 31st. I'm Corey with The Story, and this is Birmingham News Today, your AI-powered local news. Birmingham's food scene is blowing up on the national stage with five James Beard Awards semi-finalists this year. We're talking outstanding chef Rob McDaniel from Bayou in the South region, Kristen Hall at Lafayette, Jerry Martha, and Ryan O'Hara from Pizza Grace. Eric Bennett at Continental Drift, and Batega for Outstanding Hospitality. These nods put the magic city right in the mix with the country's top talent. Diving deeper into Batega, it's all about that warm welcome from chef Frank Stitt and his wife Partis, who runs the front of house. They create this cozy vibe that feels like a hug, anticipating what guests need before they even ask. It's that genuine touch turning first timers into lifelong fans. Locals have backed these spots for decades, like Highlands Bar and Grill since 1982, building generations of loyal eaters. Birmingham folks crave quality food and service, fueling this rise without much tourist

1:04help at first. The city's prime spot near farms and Gulf Sea food keeps ingredients fresh and local, drawing more chefs with diverse influences like Mexican and Central American flavors. Young talent moving in from colleges and other cities is set to amp it up even more. Finalists drop Tuesday, with winners announced June 15th, so keep an eye on these Birmingham heavyweights as they chase those trophies.