A bit of a shocker in the James Beard Foundation finalists news just out Tuesday morning: only one Minnesota chef made it to the finals of the Best Chef: Midwest award, a category where in years past you’d have multiple chefs from our region.
Shigeyuki Furukawa for Kado No Mise and Kaiseki Furukawa makes it to the final five, along with Zak Baker from suburban Milwaukee, David Utterback from Omaha, and two St. Louis-area chefs Loryn Nalic and Nick Bognar. Passed over: Diane Moua from Diane’s Place, Yia Vang from Vinai, and Gustavo and Kate Romero for Nixta by Oro.
Courtesy of Kado no Mise
What a great honor for Shigeyuki, who is 53 years old and has been quietly curating excellence in the North Loop for nearly 10 years. Over the past couple years, Kado has transitioned into only tasting menus—the dining room has 26-seats, it’s luxurious, the service is exquisite, and the experience is unlike any Minnesota sushi restaurant.
Kado offers three set omakase menus: “ume” ($84/pp), “take” ($138/pp), and “matsu” ($192/pp). At the counter, only “take” and “matsu” are available. One seating around 5 p.m., another around 8 p.m. Tuesday night is kaiseki night: $213/per person. (All prices include a 21% service charge.)
Regionally you might be interested in 1033 Omakase in Milwaukee at Best New Restaurant, Hastings Cameron is a finalist at Imaginary Factory in Madison for cocktail service, two Door County spots were finalists (must be a judge from that area!) Cultured in Sister Bay and Sway Brewing in Baileys Harbor.
SEMIFINALISTS WHO DID NOT MOVE TO THE FINALS:
OUTSTANDING CHEF:
Chef Ann Ahmed: Khâluna and Gai Noi
Alex Roberts: Restaurant Alma
OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT:
Bar La Grassa
EMERGING CHEF:
Kyle Lussier from The Pines in Grand Rapids
OUTSTANDING HOSPITALITY:
Joan’s in the Park, Saint Paul
BEST CHEF: MIDWEST
Yia Vang for Vinai
Diane Moua for Diane’s Place
Gustavo and Kate Romero for Oro by Nixta
