Montana Semifinalists for This Year’s James Beard Awards

The annual James Beard Awards have named the Semifinalists for 2024 and nine Montana restaurants and chefs have been recognized.

The annual awards recognize excellence as well as a broader appeal to restaurant culture that includes "equity, community (and) sustainability." Last year Veronika's Pastry Shop in Billings, Montana was a nominee for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker and Pekin Noodle Parlor was a winner for Restaurant & Chef.

The following Montana restaurants and culinary professionals were named in four categories this year:

Outstanding Restaurateur 

• I-Ho Pomeroy, I-Ho's Korean Grill, Bozeman, MT
  • "Very honorable establishment." - Dong K., Yelp.com

Best New Restaurant

• Shan, Bozeman, MT
  • "If you want authentic, exquisitely well-prepared, Thai flavors in Bozeman you have to go here!" - Asher, Yelp.com

LOOKING BACK: Missoula Business Is a Semifinalist for a James Beard Award

Outstanding Bar

• Horn & Cantle Saloon, Big Sky, MT
  • "Horn and Cantle is likely the finest restaurant in Big Sky." -Brooke, Yelp.com

Best Chef: Mountain

• Joshua Adams, Campione, Livingston, MT
  • "You can add 2 things to your bucket list if you haven't already been. Yellowstone National Park and Campione." - Elizabeth, Yelp.com
• Brandon Cunningham, Social Haus, Greenough, MT
  • "From food to views to activities to staff, there's no other place or experience on earth like the Green O." - Adam, Google Reviews
• Charley Graham, Little Star Diner, Bozeman, MT
  • "This was one of the BEST fine dining experiences in Bozeman I have ever had." - Amber, Yelp.com
• Walker Hunter, Brasserie Porte Rouge, Missoula, MT
  • "There's no defining dish, but that's why we love coming back to try new things-oh, but if you can grab one of the in-house snikcers desserts before they sell out-you must! - Kenny, Yelp.com
• Lee Johnson, MontAsia, Fishtail, MT
  • "As someone at my table said, 'I never thought I'd be eating Chicken Curry in Fishtail MT' but I'll do it again." - Alexis, Yelp.com
• Nick Steen Gullings, Walkers Grill, Billings, MT
  • "This place is incredible!! Service, atmosphere, food..It all gets a 10/10 from us." - Jenna, Yelp.com

The nominees will be announced April 3 and the winners will be announced June 10. Good luck to all the Montana Semifinalists.