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The James Beard awards are the top awards in the culinary world — think the Oscars, but for food. Louisville's Noam Bilitzer, chef at Meesh Meesh, was nominated for Best Chef in the Southeast this year, but unfortunately lost out to Nashville's Jake Howell. You'll get 'em next time, Noam.

Bilitzer isn't the only Louisville chef to have been nominated for a James Beard award. In fact, a Louisville chef has been nominated for Best Chef in the Southeast every couple of years for the past few decades.

Dallas McGarity of the Fat Lamb was nominated last year, Annie Pettry of the now closed Decca was nominated in 2020, and Edward Lee of Nami and 610 Magnolia was nominated in 2017.

Lawrence Weeks of Enso, North of Bourbon, and more was nominated for Emerging Chef in 2024. Bonus: Take a peek at what he keeps in his fridge.

The only Louisville James Beard winners are Julian P. Van Winkle III for Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional in 2011.