Tag: James Beard Awards

• Michigan’s 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists bring a national spotlight to our booming food scene and diverse agriculture

  

  Lansing, MI — Michigan’s food scene continues to catapult itself into the national culinary spotlight. Six chefs and restaurateurs from across the state were nominated as semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards. Spanning across three different categories, our state is vying for awards in Best New Restaurant, Best New Bar, and Best Chef for…

  Jeff Popovich

  March 13, 2026

  Food Blog, New Restaurants, Vegan Series

  2026, Adventure, agriculture, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Echelon Kitchen & Cocktails, farm to table, Food, Foodie, James Beard Award semifinalists, James Beard Awards, James Beard Foundation, Lansing, Metro Detroit, Michigan, Modern Bird, Pure Michigan, restaurant, travel, Traverse City, vegan

• Hundreds attend exhilarating Iron Chef Detroit II, a culinary fundraiser for Cass Community Social Services

  

  Detroit, MI — Two chefs from prominent Detroit restaurants competed in an epic (but friendly) showdown Thursday night at Eastern Market Shed 5 for Iron Chef Detroit. In its second year, Iron Chef Detroit is a thrilling, live-cooking competition showcasing two chefs from Detroit restaurants competing in three rounds judged by a panel of local…

  Jeff Popovich

  June 14, 2025

  Cooking, Food Blog, Food Trucks

  Cass Community Social Services, Chef Andy Holyday, Chef Anthony Lombardo, Cooking, cooking competition, Detroit, Eastern Market, Food, Foodie, Iron Chef, Iron Chef Detroit, James Beard Awards, Metro Detroit, Michigan, Selden Standard, SheWolf

• Beloved Clawson sushi eatery Sozai closes; James Beard Award winning Chef Sato returning to the PNW

  

  Clawson, MI — It’s with deep foodie remorse that I have to share and now reflect on the closure of Sozai. The sushi restaurant just west of downtown Clawson was a true gem of an establishment, revered for its sustainable approach to sushi and its award-winning Chef and owner, Hajime Sato. Despite living back in…

  Jeff Popovich

  May 8, 2025

  Food Blog, Seafood Series, Sushi Series

  Adventure, chef, Chef Hajime Sato, Clawson, Food, Foodie, James Beard Awards, James Beard Awards 2024, Metro Detroit, Michigan, Pacific NorthWest, PNW, seafood, Sozai, sushi, sustainability

• The 2024 James Beard Award semifinalists have been announced, including several great Michigan representatives!

  Detroit, MI – On Wednesday, the James Beard Foundation announced the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists for the James Beard Awards. For some in the restaurant industry, receiving this call or notice for a nomination can feel like Christmas morning. The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization that celebrates and supports the people…

  Jeff Popovich

  January 28, 2024

  Cooking, Food Blog, New Restaurants

  Chefs, Chicago, Detroit, Food, Foodie, James Beard Awards, James Beard Awards 2024, Metro Detroit, Michigan, restaurant

• Yelp releases ‘Top 100 U.S. Restaurants for 2024,” except something’s missing — Michigan!

  Detroit, MI — While at work on Tuesday, I noticed that Yelp published its 2024 list of Top 100 places to eat across the United States. I often look forward to this annual lengthy list as an avid traveler and foodie for recommendations when I’m out adventuring near and far. However, after scanning the length of…

  Jeff Popovich

  January 25, 2024

  Food Blog, New Restaurants

  awards, Chefs, Detroit, Food, Foodie, James Beard Awards, list, Metro Detroit, Michigan, restaurant, West Michigan, Yelp, Yelp Top 100 Restaurants