The James Beard Foundation’s semifinalist announcement on January 21, 2026, marked a consequential moment for Dallas and reinforced Texas’s expanding influence on the national culinary stage. In Dallas, the recognition reflects not a breakout year but the steady consolidation of a dining scene that has grown more disciplined, more diverse, and more confident in its identity.
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Roots Southern Table in Farmers Branch is more than just a restaurant—it’s a deeply personal expression of Southern culinary identity. Chef Tiffany Derry’s upbringing in Southeast Texas touches every plate, bringing together elements of Creole, soul food, and refined Southern cooking with global technique. The menu reflects a reverence for tradition but refuses to be boxed in by it.
Each dish is layered, nuanced, and prepared with purpose, inviting diners to rediscover familiar flavors in unexpected ways. While the presentation is upscale, the soul of the food remains deeply comforting.
Chef Tiffany Derry is a celebrated Texas-based chef and restaurateur known for blending Southern tradition with global technique. Raised in Beaumont, she trained at the Art Institute of Houston and gained international culinary experience before rising to national fame through appearances on shows like Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars. She is the founder of Tiffany Derry Concepts and co-founder of T2D Concepts, the hospitality group behind Roots Southern Table, Roots Chicken Shak and more recent, Radici Wood Fired Grill.
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Gaido’s Seafood Restaurant, a foodie landmark in Galveston, Texas, has recently earned the prestigious James Beard Foundation’s America’s Classics Award. This honor is given to restaurants that have long served their communities with outstanding food and an enduring charm. Gaido’s, which has been a part of Galveston’s cultural fabric for over a century, is the only Texas establishment to receive the award in 2025.
Continue readingFiled under Steven Doyle
The James Beard Foundation has officially announced that two chefs based in Dallas, along with a Dallas restaurant, have progressed to the subsequent round of the 2024 James Beard Awards. This announcement, made on Wednesday, highlights the notable achievements within the culinary industry in Dallas.
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Here is the list of 2024 James Beard Nominees. We highlighted Texas nominees but will be quick to note some of the Dallas highlights including David Uygur at Lucia for Best Restaurateur, and Best Chefs include Richard Vana Heritage Table; Arnulfo Sánchez III, Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q; Misti Norris, Perta & the Beast; AQ Pittman, Jose. And Gemma!
Richard Vana has a remarkable story that includes him writing about the Dallas food scene, then working with a variety of restaurants, and culminating with Richard opening Heritage Table. A huge congratulations to Richard.
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by Steven Doyle
The James Beard Semi-Finalist list reared its head today. The idea is if James Beard sees his shadow we enjoy a year of fine dining and a swillingly charming wine list. Or so it would seem based on the most recent semi-finalist list.
Dallas took a tough hit this year. Stephan Pyles generally makes an appearance, only to be a bridesmaid. With his fairly new Flora Street and it’s superior menu he should come out on top. John Tesar is whipping into submission some of the finest beef in the Americas yet went unnoticed by James Beard. Continue reading
Filed under Crave, Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle
The James Beard Award Semi-Finalists were just announced and Texas received just a little more love than usual, particularly in the Best Chef Southwest category where you will see a small handful of DFW names such as David Uygur, John Tesar, and Matt McCallister.
We also spotted former Dallas chef David Bull, now in Austin, on this list as well. Also one of our favorite Austin restaurants, Barley Swine chef Bryce Gilmore was honored. Continue reading
Filed under Steven Doyle
by Steven Doyle photo by Nicholas McWhirter
Alice Laussade, Dallas Observer’s Cheap Bastard, and lovely bacon temptress who brought us all Meat Fight, is back in the news again. No, she didn’t take a seat before ordering at Maple and Motor Burger, nor did she tag the smoker at Pecan Lodge, but we are sure she has considered both. Alice has been nominated a second time for a James Beard Award for the humor-writing category of the 2013 James Beard Foundation Awards. Continue reading
Filed under James Beard House, Steven Doyle
