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Bastion Chef Josh Habiger named 2023 James Beard Award finalist

The awards ceremony takes place in Chicago on Monday, June 5. 🏆

The stage at the Musicians Hall of Fame is set for the James Beard Award finalists announcement, complete with a podium and TV.

We’re shining a spotlight on Nashville’s 2023 James Beard Award finalist.

Photo by NASHtoday

Music City was representing at the James Beard Foundation’s nominations ceremony in more than one way.

Not only was the event held at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum — Nashville’s first time hosting the foundation — but Bastion’s very own Chef Josh Habiger was named a finalist for Best Chef: Southeast.

The finalists competing for the Best Chef: Southeast title at the June 5 ceremony are as follows.

  • Josh Habiger, Bastion (Nashville, TN)
  • Sam Fore, Tuk Tuk Sri Lankan Bites (Lexington, KY)
  • Sam Hart, Counter- (Charlotte, NC)
  • Terry Koval, The Deer and the Dove (Decatur, GA)
  • Paul Smith, 1010 Bridge (Charleston, WV)

Habiger has been recognized as a semifinalist in this category three previous times before this year. Bastion, a 24-seat restaurant in Wedgewood-Houston, is open for dinner Wednesday-Saturday and the bar is open nightly. Pro tip: Some reservations are still available for April seatings + May 10-31 reservations open on Saturday.

In case you missed it, five Nashville-based semifinalists were in the running for various categories this year.

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