Today the James Beard Foundation announced the finalists for its 2020 awards, amid the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.
The announcement was made in an effort to both shine a light on the work of chefs and restaurateurs throughout the nation, as well as to provide a moment of escape during these dark times when restaurants across the nation struggle to sustain their businesses.
Among local nominees is Paul Bartolotta of The Bartolotta Restaurants, who has made the short list for the Outstanding Restaurateur award. It's the fourth year that Bartolotta made the semifinals in this category. If successful in making it through the finals, it will mark the third Beard award for Chef Bartolotta, who holds James Beard awards for both his work at Spiaggia in Chicago and Ristorante di Mare in Las Vegas.
Although no Wisconsin chefs made the final selection for Best Chef Midwest this year, we can remain proud of this year's Milwaukee semi-finalists including Dane Baldwin of The Diplomat, and Karen Bell of Bavette La Boucherie. We can also take great pride that we have countless chefs in our city and state who deserve acclaim for putting forth their best work, even during the toughest of times.
View the complete list of 2020 James Beard nominees here.
Support area restaurants
Milwaukee is blessed to be home to many amazing restaurants, all of which deserve recognition and support during these challenging times. Your support is vital in helping to ensure that restaurants can reopen to the public safely when the time is right. So please consider supporting restaurants by continuing to dedicate a portion of your food budget to ordering take-out.
Your efforts allow restaurants to keep their businesses afloat at the most base level while doing what they do best: nourishing their communities with delicious food. Together we can raise one another up and make a difference, one meal at a time.
Here are more ways to support bars and restaurants during these tumultuous times.
More on the James Beard Foundation Awards
Established in 1990, with inaugural awards issued in 1991, the James Beard Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields and further the Foundation’s mission to celebrate, nurture, and honor chefs and other leaders making America's food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone.
The 2020 James Beard Awards will mark the 30th anniversary of America’s most coveted and comprehensive honors for chefs, restaurants, journalists, authors, and other leaders in the food and beverage industry.
Stay tuned for updates on the September 25 James Beard awards announcement.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
