WISCONSIN — Five Wisconsin chefs, restaurants and bars are officially nominated for James Beard Foundation Awards this year.
Twelve from the Badger State had originally been named semifinalists, but only about a third made it through.
What You Need To Know
Five Wisconsin chefs, restaurants and bars were officially nominated for James Beard Awards
1033 Omakase in Milwaukee was nominated for Best New Restaurant; Sister Bay’s Cultured took a nomination for Outstanding Bakery; Zak Baker of Ca’Lucchenzo got the nomination for Best Chef: Midwest
For Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, Hastings Cameron of Imaginary Factory in Madison got nominated; Sway Brewing & Blending of Bailey’s Harbor was nominated for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Official winners for James Beard Awards will be announced at a ceremony on Monday, June 15, in Chicago
First on the list in the category of Best New Restaurant is 1033 Omakase in Milwaukee. From sake to Japanese omakase, it gives people an intimate experience with the chef. The reservation-only space opened in December 2024 and is open from Wednesday through Saturday. It costs $129 per person.
“Finally! Grateful. Honored. Hungry for more!” the restaurant said on Instagram following its official nomination.
A little further north, Sister Bay’s Cultured took a nomination for Outstanding Bakery. It focuses on baking sourdough, focaccia, bagels, cookies and other sweet treats from scratch.
The bakery’s start began in 2018 when the owner found lots of time on her hands during a long Wisconsin winter, according to the website. Its bakehouse opened in May 2023 and now operates Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wisconsin is once again represented in the Best Chef: Midwest category this year. Zak Baker of Ca’Lucchenzo, which is located in Wauwatosa, gained an official nomination on Tuesday. Baker has worked with chefs all over Italy to refine the Italian formal dinner restaurant that opened in 2019. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to close.
On the beverage side of things, two places got formal nominations.
For Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, Hastings Cameron of Imaginary Factory in Madison was nominated. It’s open seven days a week in the evenings. The cocktail lounge opened in 2021.
Sway Brewing & Blending of Bailey’s Harbor was the last to get a nomination. It will be up for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program for the Beard Awards. Its brews are created exclusively from Wisconsin and “hand-foraged native plants,” according to its website. The craft beer producer has been in business since 2022.
Official winners for James Beard Awards will be announced at a ceremony on Monday, June 15, in Chicago.
Dining and Cooking