On Monday, June 5, The James Beard Foundation announced its 2023 Restaurant and Chef Awards winners, with the winners being celebrated at a live ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

In both the Outstanding Bakery and Outstanding Pastry Chef/Baker categories, five nominees were selected. Among them were:

Outstanding Bakery (New in 2023, this category recognizes a baker of breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community.)

  • Angelo Brocato Ice Cream & Confectionery, New Orleans, LA
  • La Casita Bakeshop, Richardson, TX
  • Kuluntu Bakery, Dallas, TX
  • Yoli Tortilleria, Kansas City, MO
  • Zak the Baker, Miami, FL

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker (The former Outstanding Pastry Chef and Outstanding Baker categories have been combined into one, Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. This category recognizes a pastry chef or baker who makes desserts, pastries, or breads. Candidate demonstrates exceptional skills and can be affiliated with any food business and does not need a brick-and-mortar presence. Candidate contributes positively to their broader community.)

  • Veronika Gerasimova, Veronika's Pastry Shop, Billings, MT
  • Elaine Uykimpang Bentz, Café Mochiko, Cincinnati, OH
  • Vince Bugtong, ABACA, San Francisco, CA
  • Margarita Manzke, République, Los Angeles, CA
  • Shawn McKenzie, Café Cerés, Minneapolis, MN

This year’s winner for Outstanding Bakery is Yoli Tortilleria of Kansas City, Missouri, while the Outstanding Pastry Chef/Baker is Margarita Manzke of République in Los Angeles, California.

The following are other key awards handed out in this year’s James Beard Foundation awards:

Outstanding Restaurateur  

Ellen Yin, High Street Hospitality Group (Fork, a.kitchen + bar, High Street, and others), Philadelphia, PA

Outstanding Chef  

Rob Rubba, Oyster Oyster, Washington, DC

Outstanding Restaurant

Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia, PA

Emerging Chef

Damarr Brown, Virtue, Chicago, IL

Best New Restaurant

Kann, Portland, OR

“Congratulations to the exceptional winners of this year’s Restaurant and Chef Awards—whose incredible achievements and dedication to culinary excellence have left an indelible mark on our industry,” said Clare Reichenbach, chief executive officer of the James Beard Foundation. “As we celebrate, it's important to acknowledge the significant work that these accomplished restaurants and chefs have done to push American food culture forward—using their immense creativity, passion, and talent to create extraordinary experiences on behalf of others. Thanks to them, our food future is bright, indeed.”