It is, without question, the highest honor you can be given in the culinary world. Now The Grey’s Mashama Bailey is one step closer to making it a reality. She’s been named a semi-finalist for a James Beard Award.
“It’s early in the process.” Mashama says “It’s certainly an honor to be named a semi-finalist, but if they call my name in Chicago, I think you will hear me screaming on your block in Savannah.”
The selection comes in Mashama’s 1st year of eligibility for a James Beard Award. A huge honor for not only Chef Mashama as a talent in the kitchen, but also as a restaurateur.
“Whenever we receive these types of accolades, or in this case Mashama, I look around waiting for the other shoe to drop.” says John Morisano, co-owner of The Grey. “There is still a lot of motivation though, to come to work the next day and clean up the tiny mistakes we made the night before and be as good as we can be.”
The James Beard Foundation announced their semi-finalists in several categories including Outstanding Chef, Best Bar Program, Best Restaurateur and many more. Chef Mashama was nominated in the “Best Chef Southeast” category. Also named in that category, Matthew Raiford of The Farmer and The Larder in Brunswick, Georgia.
Finalists will be named on March 14th. Winners will be announced at a banquet on Sunday night, May 6, 2018.
For a full list of semi-finalists click here.
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