Congratulations to Dame Carrie Nahabedian for being named a semi-finalist for Outstanding Chef America for the 2018 James Beard Awards! (The only other chef named in that category happens to be another Chicago icon, Chef Tony Mantuano). This is Carrie’s fourth nomination (or fifth – she can’t recall) for this illustrious honor.

Carrie is the chef and owner of two of Chicago’s most acclaimed restaurants, Naha and Brindille. She has an impressive track record of Beard nominations, and in 2008, she was named Best Chef Great Lakes. In 2015, her cousin Tom Nahabedian received a Beard Award for Best Restaurant Design for Brindille.

The James Beard Awards are the “Oscars” of the culinary world, recognizing the best of the best in every sector of the restaurant industry, from coast to coast. This year’s Beard Awards Gala  takes place in Chicago, at the Lyric Opera House on Monday, May 7, 2018. See the full list of semi-finalists here. We’ll all be rooting for Carrie to bring home another medal!

Read the elaborate article on Chef Carrie in the Chicago Tribune by Columnist John Kass. on becoming one of the city’s (and country’s) most acclaimed chefs.