Charlotte has a chef in the running for a James Beard Award. Here’s how you can watch.
Chef Sam Hart of Counter- and Bibilo in Charlotte is nominated for a 2023 James Beard Award, and we know you’ll want to tune in.
The James Beard Awards’ Restaurant and Chef Awards — co-hosted by Eric Adjepong, Esther Choi, Gail Simmons and Andrew Zimmern — are happening tonight at Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The nomination for Best Chef: Southeast was Hart’s first in the awards, and he moved onto the finals in March. The nomination is for his work at Counter-. Other 2023 semifinalists from Charlotte who did not move onto the finals included:
- Chef Greg Collier, who owns Leah & Louise with his wife, Subrina, for Outstanding Chef. Collier has also been named a semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast three times.
- Salud Cerveceria, owned by Jason and Dairelyn Glunt, was recognized with a nomination for Outstanding Bar.
Hart won’t be at the awards alone, however — the native Charlottean is taking his entire restaurant team with him. As running a restaurant is a group effort, he’s been outspoken that the line cooks and sommeliers belong right up there with the chefs on the red carpet, as well.
“Everyone is super excited, and whether we come home with the award or not, it’s just amazing for this team to really get the showcase that they deserve and have worked so hard for for the past two and a half years,” Hart told CharlotteFive.
Below are all the details you’ll need to watch.
How to watch
When: Monday, June 5, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Livestream: Watch the awards livestream on Eater.
Extra content: Eater’s Instagram will showcase behind-the-scenes moments including the red carpet walk, acceptance speeches and the food-filled after party.
The competition
Counter-, Hart’s tasting restaurant, pairs 10- and 14- course menus to a theme that creates a storyline with music. and art for a sensory experience. He also owns the adjacent wine bar Biblio, which pairs its food with the diner’s wine selection, as opposed to the other way around.
Joining Hart as contenders in the Best Chef: Southeast category —which covers Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia — are:
- Sam Fore, Tuk Tuk Sri Lankan Bites, Lexington, KY
- Josh Habiger, Bastion, Nashville, TN
- Terry Koval, The Deer and the Dove, Decatur, GA
- Paul Smith, 1010 Bridge, Charleston, WV.
“It would be really awesome to be the first restaurant in Charlotte to ever win one of these awards, especially as a native Charlottean myself,” Hart said, noting that only five restaurants in the area have ever made it to the semifinals.
In the meantime, he’s looking toward the restaurant serving an incubator where hospitality workers can grow and change, and help the Charlotte restaurant scene evolve.
“Win, lose, whatever happens, it’s still going to continue to be our main focus, is creating a place where not only people feel comfortable and creative and they can grow their knowledge but also to be a place where they can find who they are and what they want to do in this community after working here, as well,” Hart said.
Alex Cason contributed to this article.
Biblio
Location: 2001 W. Morehead St., suite B, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: Wine and wine-tailored dishes
Instagram: @bibliocharlotte
Counter-
Location: 2001 W Morehead St., Suite D, Charlotte, NC 28208
Cuisine: Sensory-themed tasting dishes
Instagram: @counterclt
This story was originally published June 5, 2023 at 5:30 AM.
