Grae Nonas, left, at Olamaie. (Ricardo B. Brazziell AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
Grae Nonas has had a remarkable couple of years. Olamaie, where he is co-executive chef with Michael Fojtasek, was named the #1 restaurant in Austin last year by the Statesman, and Nonas, along with Fojtasek, was named one of the Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine Magazine last year. But the Rising Star Chef of the Year award from the James Beard Foundation remains elusive. Daniela Soto-Innes of Cosme in New York City received the award at a ceremony in Chicago tonight, beating out Nonas and five other chefs. It was the first finalist nod for Nonas, who was also named a semi-finalist last year.
- Related: Olamaie #1 in Austin360 Dining Guide
Correction: An earlier version of this blog incorrectly named Nonas as a co-owner of Olamaie.
