Two South Mississippi restaurants make the list of James Beard nominees for excellence
Editor’s note: The James Beard finalists were announced Wednesday, April 2, and neither Vestige nor White Pillars made the cut. In fact, no Mississippi restaurants reached the finalists stage for the 2025 awards program.
ORIGINAL STORY
Two South Mississippi restaurants are James Beard semifinalists for excellence this year.
The nominees announced Wednesday are Vestige in Ocean Springs for Outstanding Hospitality, and White Pillars in Biloxi, where owners Tresse Sumrall and Austin Sumrall are nominees for best chefs in the South.
Vestige was a finalist for best restaurant in the nation last year.
This year’s nomination is for Outstanding Hospitality, presented to restaurants for “providing a sense of hospitality among its customers and staff, that serves as a beacon for the community and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality and operations.”
Vestige posted on Facebook after the nominations were announced congratulations to While Pillars and Elvie’s restaurant in Jackson on their nominations, “showing that Mississippi can hang with the best of ‘em. Proud to share a state with y’all.”
Both Coast restaurants are one of 20 nominees for their respective awards from restaurants in Atlanta, Seattle, New York, New Orleans and other areas across the country.
This is the 35th year for the James Beard Awards. The Restaurant and Chef Award finalist nominees will be announced April 2 and the awards ceremony is June 16 in Chicago.
This story was originally published January 22, 2025 at 10:29 AM.
