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.

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