Nashville Chefs Earn Coveted James Beard Nominations

A Showcase of the City’s Culinary Excellence

Nashville, Tenn. – The hallowed halls of culinary achievement welcome four Nashville talents as semi-finalists in this year’s James Beard Awards.

The James Beard Foundation releases nominations for its renowned awards each late January, and this year, Nashville has bagged four. The semi-finalists boast a story of local talent as two of them are born and raised in the Music City. We delve into their journeys, understand their views on Nashville’s evolution, their nominations experience, and how they aim to carry on their family’s legacy in the culinary vista.

A Glimpse into the Nominated Talent

Arnold Myint, International Market

Born into a longstanding family enterprise, Arnold Myint, along with Anna, his sister, saw their mother’s International Market and Restaurant serve sections of Nashville with enticing Thai dishes for over 45 years. The restaurant, a symbol of homegrown prowess, was a neighborhood favorite until its closure in 2019.

Arnold, a celebrity chef and culinary educator, bolstered his reputation by opening his very own eateries around the area, including notable names like PM, Cha-Chah, and blvd. In 2022, Myint and Anna revitalized the International Market in a new location, across the street from where the original had once delighted customers.

David Andrews, D’Andrews Bakery and Café

Another entrepreneur rooted in a strong family tradition, Nashville’s David Andrews is the executive chef and owner of the city’s much-loved D’Andrews Bakery and Café. Having been part of his family’s boutique department store, McClure’s, which served Nashville for 80 years, David took the entrepreneurial reigns and fashioned his own position in the culinary scene.

The Euphoria of Being Nominated

On learning about the nomination, Arnold’s initial disbelief gradually morphed into a mix of joy and gratification. “Deep down, I’d never put myself on that level. So, the nomination felt like a validation of our work and passion,” Arnold shared. The news of being a semi-finalist for Best Chef Southeast hit him hard, and he confessed to shedding tears of joy.

Being nominated for Outstanding Bakery, meanwhile, was an overwhelmingly fantastic experience for David Andrews. The nominations signify the stage where dreams meld with reality, where long-held aspirations find fruition. As he puts it, “It’s like the Oscars for food, and it became something I would aspire to.”

Looking Ahead: The Road After the Nominations

Nashville will intently follow the journey of the nominees, and the nominations undoubtedly put the city’s culinary scene in the national spotlight. Regardless of the outcome, these nominations affirm that Music City is rich in culinary talent, and it’s about time that the world takes note. For Arnold Myint, this nomination pushes him to “sit up a little straighter” and underpins that their voice matters. For David Andrews, the honor enhances their commitment to excellence and serves as a motivation to give back to the employees who constitute the backbone of the establishment.

The Nashville-based James Beard semi-finalists represent the city’s homegrown talent making its mark on the national stage, a testament to home cooking and a love for great food. Their stories are a beacon of hope for aspiring local talents and a clear demonstration that excellence knows no boundary.