The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Nominees were just named, and to the surprise of some, Austin’s only mention was for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, for Arjav Ezekiel, at Birdies. None of the nominees for Best Chef Texas are Austin chefs. So, what does that say about our local restaurateurs? What impact do these awards have on restaurants and their financial sustainability? Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by the owner and head chef of El Naranjo, Iliana de la Vega, who was named Best Chef Texas in 2022 and a semifinalist twice before that. Plus, de la Vega shares how she changed the way Austinites make tortillas, the Austin restaurant she’d bring back from the dead, and the dish that makes her customers cry (happy tears).

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