Visit Buffalo announces new effort to gain James Beard Awards® nods for Buffalo and Erie County
Committee of local food experts selects nine restaurants for consideration
BUFFALO, NY – Several Buffalo and Erie County chefs and establishments have been selected for consideration in multiple categories for the 2027 James Beard Awards® after being identified by a panel of local experts that was put together by Visit Buffalo.
The open call for entries for the James Beard Awards® (considered the “Oscars of Food”) started Sept. 30 and runs through Nov. 30. The awards will be given June 12 to 14.
Visit Buffalo launched a coordinated pitching effort this year to help elevate Buffalo’s reputation as a culinary destination. Even simply being nominated by the James Beard Foundation for one of their awards can act as a catalyst for increased visitation by food enthusiasts.
The chefs and establishments chosen by the Visit Buffalo committee for award consideration are:
BEST CHEF NEW YORK STATE
Bruce Wieszala, Beacon Grille
Jennifer Boye, Moriarty Meats & Cafe
Ryan Fernandez, Southern Junction
EMERGING CHEF
Manny Ocasio, Mira
Darian Bryan, Bratts Hill and Reserve
OUTSTANDING BAKER OR DESSERT PROFESSIONAL
Jenn Batt, Quokka Sweets
Gina Ocasio, Mira
Kevin and Melissa Gardner, Five Points Bakery
Colleen Stillwell, Butter Block
“Buffalo’s food scene has become an essential part of what makes us stand out as a destination,” said Patrick Kaler, President and CEO of Visit Buffalo. “These chefs and restaurants represent the creativity, craftsmanship and character that visitors experience throughout Buffalo and Erie County. We’re proud to help shine a national spotlight on the people and places that continue to raise the profile of our region and give travelers another compelling reason to experience Buffalo.”
The team of local experts who selected the chefs and restaurants are:
Christa Glennie – (chairperson for the James Beard Awards Nomination Committee). The food editor of Buffalo Spree, Glennie has been a longtime champion of Buffalo’s food scene
Jeff Biesinger – A 13-year veteran of Buffalo Spree who has written over 30 full-length fine-dining reviews of Western New York restaurants.
Donnie Burtless – The founder of Buffalo Eats, a popular social account covering the local culinary scene for over 15 years.
Luke Copping – A commercial and advertising photographer and winner of the 2025 James Beard Foundation Photography Prize at the World Food Photography Awards.
Andrew Galarneau – Former food editor and restaurant critic for the Buffalo News, now covering the WNY food scene for his own site, FourBites.net.
Brett Llenos Smith – A professional food journalist for over a decade, Smith covers WNY as well as restaurants in New Orleans and Manhattan.
Kyla Wazana Tompkins – A scholar of food history who works at the University at Buffalo, Tompkins won a James Beard Award for Personal Essay without Recipes in 2023.
“I’m grateful Visit Buffalo sees the value in organizing an effort behind the James Beard considerations for Erie County,” said Christa Glennie, chairperson. “The committee is proud of everyone on this year’s list, and we’d love to see more Buffalonians submit their own favorite chefs, bakers, and restaurants for consideration too.” You can find more information on the James Beard Award committee and selections at visitbuffalo.com/jamesbeard. Want to submit a chef or restaurant for consideration? Learn more on the James Beard Foundation’s website.
