Wilmington chefs Sunny Gerhart and Lauren Krall Ivey of Olivero were named semifinalists for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef Southeast Award on Wednesday.
“I am deeply honored to be nominated alongside Sunny and so many talented names in the hospitality industry,” said Krall Ivey. “We’re very grateful for the recognition.”
As co-executive chefs, the duo is among 20 other semifinalists from the region, which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia.
This is the second nomination in this category for Gerhart, who was nominated in 2022 for work at his downtown Raleigh restaurant, St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar.
Krall Ivey and Gerhart met over fifteen years ago while working under esteemed chef Ashley Christensen at Poole’s Diner in Raleigh. Christensen has been nominated for James Beard Foundation awards numerous times and in numerous categories over the years, landing the Outstanding Chef award in 2019.
“Working with my longtime friend as partners in the restaurant has been both creatively rewarding and incredibly fun,” said Krall Ivey.
Olivero’s menu blends cultures and flavors ranging from Italian to Spanish with a hint of New Orleans, as well, offering savory beignets, homemade pastas, wood-fired steaks and elevated comfort foods.
Established in 1990 and first awarded in 1991, the James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards were created in honor of the lifetime achievements of James Beard, a renowned chef, cookbook author and teacher.
The awards, according to the foundation, “recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.”
Other North Carolina nominees in the Best Chef Southeast category include Ashleigh Shanti of Good Hot Fish in Asheville, Christopher Prieto of Prime Barbecue in Knightsdale, Chayil Johnson of Community Matters Cafe in Charlotte and Sam Diminich of Restaurant Constance in Charlotte.
Finalists will be announced on April 2, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
“I’m proud not only of the dishes we’ve developed at Olivero, but the culture in our kitchen, the passion of our staff, and the support of the Wilmington community,” Krall Ivey added.
Last year, Dean Neff, owner and head chef at downtown Wilmington restaurant Seabird,
was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Chef award. While he didn’t take home the award, Neff became the first Wilmington chef to make it to the final round and be invited to the foundation’s awards ceremony in Chicago.
Other North Carolina restaurants to earn nominations this year include:
- Outstanding Restaurateur, Scott Crawford, Crawford Hospitality in Raleigh
- Outstanding Chef, William Dissen, The Market Place in Asheville
- Emerging Chef, Bhavin Chhatwani, Tamasha Modern Indian in Raleigh
- Best New Restaurant, Figulina in Raleigh
- Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker, April Franqueza, The Dining Room at High Hampton in Cashiers
- Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program, Leo's House of Thirst in Asheville
- Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, Colleen Hughes, Supperland in Charlotte
