CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Daryl Cooper and Oscar Johnson, the chefs and owners behind Jimmy Pearls in Uptown Charlotte, are up for a big honor.
Cooper and Johnson have been named semifinalists for a James Beard Award, for Best Chef: Southeast. Final nominees will be announced on April 3, and the winners will be announced on June 10.
Jimmy Pearls is described as "an ode to Virginia soul," and both chefs are from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. The restaurant is currently featured at The Market at 7th Street.
Several other North Carolina restaurants made the list of semifinalists, as well.
Dean Neff with Seabird in Wilmington made the semifinalists for Outstanding Chef.
Both The Market Place in Asheville and The Restaurant at Gideon Ridge Inn in Blowing Rock made the list for Outstanding Restaurant.
Ajja in Raleigh made the semifinalists for Best New Restaurant, while Bobby Boy Bakeshop in Winston-Salem made the list for Outstanding Bakery.
Crawford and Son in Raleigh made the cut for Outstanding Hospitality and Bittersweet in Raleigh made the list for Outstanding Bar.
Multiple other North Carolina chefs also join Cooper and Johnson as semifinalists for Best Chef: Southeast: Jamie Davis with The Hackney in Washington, Jason Sellers with Plant in Asheville, Kanlaya “Gun” Supachana with Dalaya Thai Cuisine in Sylva, and Preeti Waas with Cheeni Indian Food Emporium in Raleigh.
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