Flavor of Oklahoma: 3 Oklahoma chefs reach finals for James Beard Awards

Three Oklahoma chefs and restaurants are in the national spotlight after making it to the finals of the James Beard Awards.

SEE ALSO: Flavor of Oklahoma: Local chefs earn James Beard recognition

One of five finalists for the "Outstanding Restaurant" category, the Downtown Oklahoma City restaurant Nonesuch, is led by James Beard Award-winning chef Kelly Whitaker.

RELATED: Flavor of Oklahoma: Oklahoma City’s Nonesuch redefines fine dining with a twist

Nonesuch was once named "Best New Restaurant in America" by Bon Appétit, and is known for its exclusive 11-course blind tasting menu, Nonesuch now offers à la carte options

Lacie Lowry's favorite menu item is the 16-ounce chicken fried steak made with Oklahoma Wagyu beef and topped with caviar.

The next finalist, this time in the "Best Chef Southwest" category, is Sedalia's Oyster & Seafood owner and chef Zach Walters.

RELATED: Flavor of Oklahoma: Sedalia's introducing Oklahoma to coast-to-coast seafood

Located along Northwest 10th Street and North May Avenue, Sedalia's was named among Bon Apetit's best new restaurants in 2023.

Sedalia's receives fresh oysters and fish twice a week, flown in from the Atlantic or Pacific, and was named after the chef's great-great-grandmother.

The final finalist, Olivier Bouzerand, is the chef and owner of Fait Maison, located along East 5th Street and South Boulevard in Edmond.

RELATED: Flavor of Oklahoma: Chef behind Edmond's Fait Maison nominated for James Beard Award

Also up for the "Best Chef Southwest" award, Bouzerand's take on French cooking is turning heads, along with his approach of in-house food preparation. In French, "fait maison" even means homemade.

Bouzerand says he's been cooking and making homemade food since he was 6, after learning from his mother and grandmother.

Bouzerand had two restaurants in France before falling in love with an Oklahoma woman he met while playing video games online.

The awards for the "Best Chef" and "Outstanding Restaurant" categories will be presented on June 16.

To learn more, visit the James Beard Foundation's website.