North Carolina chefs have a history of winning James Beard Awards. Lantern's Andrea Reusing won best chef in the southeast in 2011. Ben Barker of Magnolia Grill won the same honor in 2000.

James Beard Awards semifinalist list includes 15 North Carolina chefs & restaurants across nine ... NC, SC, TN, WV) Chris Prieto, Prime Barbecue in Knightdale; Ashleigh Shanti, Good Hot Fish in ...