Dakar NOLA Wins James Beard Best New Restaurant
A Senegalese kitchen in New Orleans just made American dining history
The James Beard Foundation named Dakar NOLA, a Senegalese restaurant in New Orleans, Best New Restaurant at the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards on June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Chef Serigne Mbaye accepted the honor with a statement that landed: "I always knew that West Africa has something to say." Bilkul sahi bola. The win puts West African cuisine squarely in the conversation at America's most-watched food awards.
Elsewhere in the night's results, Michael Rafidi of Albi in Washington, D.C. was named Outstanding Chef, and Portland's 24-seat Thai tasting menu restaurant Langbaan took Outstanding Restaurant. A strong night for restaurants doing something distinct.
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