Meet the Twin Cities chef, restaurant up for James Beard Awards this year

Three big names in the Twin Cities food scene are vying for one of the restaurant industry's top honors at Monday's James Beard Awards .

Why it matters: These are the Oscars of the culinary world.

State of the plates: Upscale Northeast Minneapolis Mexican restaurant Oro By Nixta is one of 10 finalists for Best New Restaurant .

• Minneapolis chefs Ann Ahmed ( Gai Noi and Khâluna ) and Christina Nguyen ( Hai Hai and Hola Arepa), are nominated for Best Chef, Midwest.

What they're saying: "We hope this represents more than just an award nomination, but an opportunity to put Mexican food where it should be, not just for us but for all the Mexican people who live in this country," Oro's chef and co-owner Gustavo Romero told the Star Tribune in April .

Between the lines: While the Twin Cities has had strong representation on semifinalist lists in recent years — there were seven for 2024 — wins have been harder to come by.

• None of the local chefs or restaurants on the shortlist last year walked away with a prize .
• Only about half the semifinalists from the region this year made it to the final round.

Zoom out: At least 15 Minnesota chefs or restaurants have won top honors since 2001, per the foundation's website .

• Owamni was named Best New Restaurant in 2022 .

📺 Tune in : Axios Local will broadcast live from the red carpet in Chicago on Monday.

• Join us on Instagram Live as Axios Chicago reporters interview chefs, celebrities, and other culinary leaders as they stroll into the awards gala.

The fun starts at 4pm CT.

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