For the second year in a row, Tara Monsod was among the finalists at the prestigious James Beard Awards.
Photo: Tara Monsod via Beyondish/Instagram
Tara, who is the executive Chef of ANIMAE in San Diego, has been nominated for “Best Chef: California” by the James Beard Foundation. The Filipino-American chef was nominated alongside Daniel Castillo of Heritage Barbeque, Richard Lee of Saison, Kosuke Tada of Mijoté, and Jon Yao of Kato.
“The announcement, made today by the James Beard Foundation, solidifies Monsod’s place as a culinary powerhouse and the first San Diego chef to reach this stage, back-to-back, keeping the city’s hopes alive for its first-ever James Beard Award win,” SanDiegoVille wrote in an article. “Monsod’s continued recognition underscores her impact on the region’s dining scene.”
In an Instagram post, ANIMAE celebrated the good news.
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“As if the first time wasn’t wild—this round feels even more surreal. We’re humbled to be nominated as a James Beard finalist alongside chefs who push boundaries and redefine what food and hospitality can be,” it wrote. “Congratulations to all the nominees!”
This is not the first time she was acknowledged for her culinary prestige. Known for her innovative approach to Asian cuisine, she became the first San Diego chef to reach the James Beard Award finals.
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“It has always been a goal and dream to be part of a group of amazing Filipino chefs to help bring our food and culture to the light. We deserve a seat at the table with everyone else,” she wrote.
Filipinos celebrated a well-deserved victory at the prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards. California-based Filipino-American chef Lord Maynard Llera was named “Best Chef” in the California region while celebrity chef and FEATR founder Erwan Heussaff took home the “James Beard Award” in the Social Media category.
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