Shaya, the third restaurant in New Orleans opened by chef Alon Shaya, was named Best New Restaurant in the US at the James Beard Awards in LA on May 2.
The restaurant, co-owned by John Besh, has been a sensation since it's opening in February 2015. The food pays tribute to chef Shaya's native Israel. "Who woulda thought hummus in New Orleans?" Shaya said when he accepted his medal, according to Nola.com.
Shaya was named one of the country's best new restaurant openings of 2015 by many national food outlets, but this so-called Oscar of the food world is by far the most prestigious honor.
A Beard Award is one of the highest honors available to American restaurants and culinary professionals. The national category is extremely competitive, but anyone who has been lucky enough to secure a reservation at Shaya would agree that it deserves the recognition.
