SEATTLE — A Seattle chef who dishes up scratch-made Mexican food in the Ravenna neighborhood has earned a James Beard Award nomination.
Janet Becerra of Pancita was named a finalist this week for the Emerging Chef award.
Pancita started as a pop-up at the restaurant Pair and permanently took over the space at 5501 30th Avenue Northeast in summer 2023. Becerra is a first-generation Mexican American who grew up in Kent.
The menu at Pancita is filled with colorful cocktails and flavorful food. Everything is made from scratch including the masa tortillas – a process Becerra takes very seriously. She soaks, grinds and presses the corn herself to create the freshest tortillas possible.
Crowd favorites include the Albacore tuna tostada, which features kewpie, avocado and fried leeks, and the serrano Caesar.
For dessert, don't miss the decadent choco flan made with miso caramel and candied walnuts. It pairs well with Damiana liqueur. Damiana is a Mexican herb that was used by the Aztecs for medicinal purposes.
The James Beard Awards, which were first awarded in 1991, recognize achievement in culinary arts, as well as a commitment to equity, community and sustainability. They are among the most prestigious honors in the restaurant industry.
The 2024 winners will be announced during an awards ceremony in Chicago on June 10.
Pancita is one of several other Washington state restaurants and chefs who were named finalists for a James Beard Award this year. Other finalists include the following:
Outstanding Restaurateur: Quynh-Vy and Yenvy Pham, Phở Bắc Súp Shop, Phởcific Standard Time, and The Boat in Seattle.
Best New Restaurant: Bar Bacetto in Waitsburg
Best Chef in the Northwest and Pacific region:
- Avery Adams, Matia Kitchen in Orcas Island
- Kristi Brown, Communion in Seattle
- Melissa Miranda, Musang in Seattle