A Fredericksburg chef and an Arlington chef are among the semi-finalists for prestigious 2023 James Beard Awards.
Joy Crump of FOODE in Fredericksburg and Rahman “Rock” Harper of Queen Mother’s Fried Chicken in Arlington, both recognized locally for their fried chicken dishes, are in the running for James Beard’s Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic category.
Crump, a two-time Top Chef competitor, started FOODE as a home-based business in 2009. Crump and founding partner Beth Black opened FOODE to historic downtown Fredericksburg in 2011, where they’ve been serving her mother Rosie’s fried chicken recipe ever since.
“Nothing happens without #fredericksburgva showing us year after year, what it feels like to be part of a community that nurtures and supports small business,” says Crump in a post on FOODE’s Facebook page following the announcement.
“It’s super cool to be noticed by our peers. It’s even better to know that in so many ways, it’s just another rainy Wednesday in Fredericksburg and the crew at FOODE + Mercantile is just doing what we do,” says Crump.
Harper, winner of Hell’s Kitchen Season 3, opened Queen Mother’s Fried Chicken in 2020 as a tribute to his mother Carole Harper. The restaurant serves duck-fat-fried sandwiches and signature seasoned fries.
“Honored to represent my mother and grandmother, as well as the trailblazing Black women who came before me. Queen Mother’s is home, where brilliance, care and passion for community thrive,” Harper said in a series of Twitter posts about the announcement.
In addition to the chefs, the 2023 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalist list includes 15 DC restaurants and chefs who have been recognized across all categories.
DC semi-finalists include Rob Rubba of Oyster Oyster in the Outstanding Chef category, RIS in the Outstanding Restaurant category, and Allegory in the Outstanding Bar category.
If you’re looking to try a restaurant that’s new on the scene and willing to venture into the District, both Causa and Bar Spero are semi-finalists in the Best New Restaurant category.
The final James Beard nominees will be announced on March 29, and winners will be celebrated at an awards ceremony on June 5.
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