SEATTLE — A soul food restaurant in Seattle’s Central District neighborhood has garnered a James Beard Award nomination this year.
Chef Kristi Brown of Communion was nominated for Best Chef in the Northwest and Pacific region.
"This nomination not only acknowledges the effort we dedicate to Communion but also serves as a tribute to our incredible staff who play a crucial role in making Communion a welcoming sanctuary, a space where you feel at home," the restaurant said in a statement on its website.
Brown and her son Daron Bomar, co-owner and general manager, opened the restaurant in December 2020.
Communion sits on the ground floor of the Liberty Bank Building. The original building housed the first Black-owned bank in the Pacific Northwest.
The menu at Communion is “rooted in traditional American soul food,” but also blends Pacific Northwest influences. It includes classics like black-eyed peas, New Orleans-style seafood gumbo and beef short ribs.
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.
Emerging Chef: Janet Becerra, Pancita in Seattle
Best New Restaurant: Bar Bacetto in Waitsburg
Best Chef in the Northwest and Pacific region:
- Avery Adams, Matia Kitchen in Orcas Island
- Melissa Miranda, Musang in Seattle
