James Beard nominee Alex Perry changed Vestige’s menu during COVID. It’s paying off.

There is no more prestigious culinary recognition in the American restaurant industry than receiving a James Beard award.

To simply be nominated can be life changing for a restaurant or chef. Ocean Springs Chef Alex Perry, owner and chef at Vestige, was first nominated in 2019, and received his second James Beard nomination on Feb. 23.

The only other Mississippi Coast chef to be so recognized is Chef Austin Sumrall of White Pillars, who was nominated in 2020.

Perry opened Vestige in 2013, and quickly became known as an eclectic and innovative chef. Vestige offers farm-to-table dining that features fresh, local and seasonal ingredients.

Pretty creates unique dishes that frequently have Asian influences, including these recent offerings:

• Scallop with turnip, grapefruit, and gooseberry
• Foie and ankimo tart with radish, magnolia flower jelly, and aged soy

Perry has offered a prix fixe menu (usually five courses) since the COVID pandemic due to limited availability of ingredients. The idea of a limited menu has caught on, and Perry said that business is better than ever. It allows him to search the market fort the very best ingredients he can find and have the time to be as creative as he can.

Serving size is moderate, but with five courses Perry said customers are satisfied, and enjoy the more leisurely pace of the meal. Perry also said that later in the year they move to a seven-course meal.

Perry thanked his wife, Kumi Perry, and his staff after the nomination was announced.

He said sous chef Carson Neaves “never stops questioning our food and always drives to make it better each day.”

He also complimented his front-of-house staff, saying, “Y’all always walk in with a smile and nary an ill word, and it’s an absolute pleasure to work alongside you both.”

Perry also had some kind words for guests.

“Thank you to everyone who has graced our doors and allowed us to do what we do,” he said. “It means the world to us.”

Perry will face off for the Best Chef: South award against chefs in large cities, including Miami and New Orleans. Winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 13, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

This story was originally published March 1, 2022 at 10:44 AM.