2023 James Beard semifinalists

10 Houston restaurants score coveted James Beard Award nominations

The James Beard Foundation has revealed the semifinalists for its 2023 Restaurant and Chef Awards. Ten Houston restaurants have been included in both national categories and the coveted title of Best Chef: Texas.

Considered the Oscars of the food world, the awards recognize outstanding chefs and other culinary professionals in a wide range of categories ranging from Outstanding Chef to Best New Restaurant. The awards also include media categories that will be announced at a later date.

Houston restaurants and bars are well represented among both the national and regional awards. Overall, the city earned six national nominations and four nominations for Best Chef: Texas. Perhaps one of them will follow Julep, the Southern-inspired cocktail bar that claimed Houston's first national Beard Award in 2022.

They are:

Outstanding Restaurateur: Chris Williams, Lucille's Hospitality Group
Outstanding Chef: Christine Ha and Tony J. Nguyen, Xin Chào
Emerging Chef: Victoria Elizondo, Cochinita & Co.
Best New Restaurant: Tatemó
Outstanding Hospitality: Theodore Rex
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: Nancy’s Hustle

Best Chef: Texas nominees

Greg Gatlin, Gatlin’s BBQ
Benchawan Jabthong Painter, Street to Kitchen
Ai Le, Nam Giao
Kiran Verma, Kiran's

Elsewhere, Dallas boasts 10 nominees, San Antonio has seven, Austin has six, and Fort Worth has two.

As with last year, the nominees include a wide range of barbecue pitmasters. Houston’s Greg Gatlin is joined by the pitmasters at five other restaurants. Building on Austin chef Iliana de la Vega’s Best Chef: Texas win last year, chefs who serve Mexican cuisine received six semifinalist nominations.

Notably, only two of last year’s James Beard semifinalists made this year’s roster. Chris Williams returns as an Outstanding Restaurateur nominee; Christine Ha and Tony Nguyen graduated from Best Chef: Texas finalists in 2022 to Outstanding Chef this year.

Finalists will be announced on Wednesday, March 29. The Foundation will reveal its winners at an awards ceremony on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Photo by Lindsey Cooper

Greg Gatlin, Gatlin's BBQ.

chefs awards

riel returns

Shuttered Houston restaurant revived for 1 night only at Canada Day pop-up

Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

The pop-up will serve Riel's caviar and truffle pierogi.

One of the saddest restaurant closures of 2025 will get a one-night-only revival. Favorite dishes from Riel will return at Chardon on Sunday, June 28 for an event being called “Booze Can Sunday.”

While a French fine dining restaurant might seem like an unlikely host for a Riel revival, Chardon executive chef E.J. Miller once served as Riel’s opening sous chef. Miller invited his former boss, Riel chef-owner Ryan Lachaine, to join him for a pop-up that honors Canada Day.

Together, the duo will serve some of Riel’s most popular dishes, including:

Truffle and Caviar Pierogies
Steak Au Poivre Poutine with Cheese Curds
Deli Dog
Montreal Smoked Meat Sliders
Torche Kolaches
Mushroom Empanadas
Gator Karaage
Maple Whiskey Soft Serve with Foie Caram

The day will also feature drink specials such as Canadian Jell-O Shots, Molson X, Canadian Club, Old Grand-Dad, and more. Robin Wong, a co-owner of Blood Bros. BBQ and a successful DJ, will spin throughout the event.

Photo by Kirsten Gilliam

The pop-up will serve Riel's caviar and truffle pierogi.

"Riel was a special place for a lot of people, and Booze Can Sunday was always one of the most anticipated events of the week," said Miller. "Ryan and I wanted to bring back that energy for one day, celebrate the restaurant that meant so much to us, and give guests a chance to revisit some of the dishes and memories they loved."

Riel Restaurant Ryan Lachaine E.J. Miller A vintage picture of chefs EJ Miller and Ryan Lachaine. Photo by Eric Sandler

Riel opened in January 2017 and closed in August 2025. In between, it earned wide acclaim for the way Lachaine blended his Canadian upbringing and Ukrainian heritage with the modern Gulf Coast cuisine he learned while working at restaurants such as Reef and Underbelly.

Currently, Lachaine works as the executive chef at River Oaks restaurant State of Grace. He added two Riel signatures to State of Grace’s menu — the caviar tater tots and signature butter burgers.

Chardon, which earned a Best New Restaurant nomination in the 2026 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards for its blend of classic French fare with Texas ingredients, opened in February 2025. In addition to Riel, Miller’s resume includes SaltAir Seafood Kitchen, International Smoke, and Muse.

Booze Can Sunday takes place from 3-9 pm. Attendees are encouraged to register on Eventbrite.

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