Here Are Arizona’s James Beard Award Finalists

Two Arizona chefs were named finalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards, both of them based in Phoenix.

Crystal Kass from Phoenix’s laid-back hangout Valentine is a finalist in the Outstanding Pastry Chef/Baker category. Meanwhile, Rene Andrade of the city’s Bacanora, a Sonoran wood-fired restaurant, is one of the nominees in the Best Chef Southwest category, which spans Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Oklahoma.

These two chefs made the cut after the foundation’s panel of judges narrowed down the longer list of semifinalists, which were announced back in January; 12 Arizona-based chefs and destinations were on that list.

Last year, six Phoenix area chefs were on the semifinalist lists but none were ultimately named as finalists.

Winners of the prestigious award will be announced at a gala event on Monday, June 10 in Chicago. The full list of finalists across the country is available here.

Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards. Eater is partnering with the James Beard Foundation to livestream the awards in 2024. All editorial content is produced independently of the James Beard Foundation.

Additional photo illustration credits: Getty Images for the James Beard Foundation