BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Two Bentonville Chefs are being recognized as semifinalists for the 2024 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards.
The James Beard Awards are hailed as among the nation's most prestigious culinary honors.
"The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards celebrate excellence across a range of experiences, from fine-dining establishments to casual gems, and emerging talents to established luminaries. The Restaurant and Chef Awards—established in 1990 and first awarded in 1991—is one of five separate recognition programs of the James Beard Awards," a press release said.
Chef Rafael Rios of Yeyo's has made semifinalist yet again for the Best Chef of the South. Joining him this year is Chef Matthew Cooper of Conifer.
"The James Beard Award is a culmination of all the hard work," Chef Rafael Rios explained.
Chef Rios explained that recognition allows him to represent his heritage of Michoacan, Mexico as he shares the culture with the Ozarks.
"Showing the soul of our people through food, through music, through art, through every aspect of ourselves," Chef Rios said.
It'll be Chef Cooper's first time as a semifinalist, only having opened Conifer a little over a year ago.
"I called him up and I was like, 'Hey, did you know you're on the list?' And he was like, 'No,' I was like, 'I guess I'm on there, too,'" Chef Cooper said.
"Being able to compete against them is a great thing. We are dear dear friends. We're like brothers, and that makes it so much more special," Chef Rios said.
Cooper is the sole owner of Conifer, a locally sourced, gluten-free restaurant where he hopes to break culinary stigmas taking care of his team and community.
"Our focus is to be a part of this community— to be able to support the local farmers in the way in which they need and want to be supported. And then outside of that, we want to be as sustainable as we can," Chef Cooper explained.
While the two say this recognition validates their hard work, they say it is only the appetizer of the Northwest Arkansas culinary scene.
"I think it speaks volumes to what's happening in Northwest Arkansas, with everyone pouring their hearts and soul into making sure that this is the best community to live in," Chef Cooper said.
"We're definitely in the eyes of the nation in terms of the culinary scene, That's the direction we want to continue to go to make sure that we're there on the map," Chef Rios said.
Finalists for the award will be announced on Wednesday, April 3 and winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
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