Now we're cooking. The semifinalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards were revealed Wednesday, Jan. 24 and three local names made the cut.

For the first time for the Greenville area, all three nominees are for national category awards, which will be narrowed down to five finalists with an announcement on April 3.

Scoundrel for “Best New Restaurant”

A french restaurant with a full bar, this spot has quickly become a staple of the city. Check out City Editor Danielle’s “7 Questions with Chef Joe Cash,” done before he opened this popular eatery.

Our pick: The Dirty Rotten Scoundrel — two dry-aged beef patties, cheddar, lettuce, onion, and scoundrel sauce. Chef's kiss.

Kimball Brienza and Stephen Palmer (O-Ku Sushi) for "Outstanding Restaurateur"

O-Ku? More like O-My, that sushi is good. Get a taste of authentically Japanese flavors. With the original location in Charleston (hey, CHStoday). The restaurant's Greenville location opened in July 2023 and has its own executive chef and locally-influenced menu.

Our pick: The Falls — a sushi roll with Hamachi, spicy tuna, serrano pepper, avocado, and yuzu miso aioli.

Don't beet around the bush. | Photo by GVLtoday

Tania Cienfuegos Harris (Topsoil Kitchen & Market) for ”Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker”

To know Topsoil is to love Topsoil. This farm-to-table restaurant delivers unique and flavorful items to Travelers Rest. Topsoil is now the first Greenville-area restaurant to earn two James Beard nominations. Executive Chef Adam Cooke was nominated in 2020 for Best Chef Southeast).

Our pick: While we're adding a visit to Topsoil to our calendars for a taste of Chef Tania's sweets, we'll take any opportunity to shoutout The Corned Beet Reuben — Topsoil Farm corned beef or spiced beet sauce gribiche, napa kraut, and NY rye bread.

After the finalists are announced on April 3, the winners will be announced June 10.